Another batch of 885 pilgrims leaves for Amarnath shrine
8 Jul 2008, 1243 Hrs

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Jammu, July 8 (ANI): A fresh batch of 885 pilgrims left for the Amarnath yatra from the base camp of Bhagwati Nagar early this morning.

According to official sources, the devotees, including 604 men, 167 women, 13 children and 101 sadhus left. They were escorted by a group of CRPF personnel.

With Tuesday's batch, as many as 43,643 pilgrims have 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)