The annual Amarnath Yatra started on Thursday with over 8,000 pilgrims leaving from two base camps in Kashmir for the Himalayan cave shrine.
As many as 6,065 pilgrims left the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district on Thursday morning, while another 2,330 proceeded from the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam , a senior police officer told IANS here.
The two-month long Yatra will conclude on August 29 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
Ice stalagmite structure The cave shrine situated 14,500 feet above the sea level houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. Hindus believe the stalagmite structure called the ‘Lingam’ symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Siva.
Police, paramilitary forces and the army have been deployed to provide security to the pilgrims.
