Another batch of 1,227 pilgrims leaves for Amarnath shrine
7 Jul 2008, 1234 Hrs

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Jammu, July 7 (ANI): A fresh batch of 1,227 pilgrims left for the Amarnath yatra from the base camp of Bhagwati Nagar early this morning.

According to official sources, the devotees, including 748 men, 310 women, 35 children and 134 sadhus, left in a convoy of 35 vehicles. They were escorted by a group of CRPF personnel.

The cavalcade carrying the pilgrims has crossed Batote and will reach Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir valley by this evening. A total of 42,758 pilgrims have so far left the shrine. The first batch left on June 17. The pilgrimage ends on August 16.

Security forces have been put on a high alert along the entire route of the pilgrimage to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

The security setup consists of area domination and setting up of mountain posts by Army, deployments of CRPF and mobile patrolling by armed police.

Every year, a large number of devotees trek the steep, slippery 48-kilometres route to reach the Amarnath cave shrine, which stands at a height of nearly 12,500 feet above sea level. (ANI)