SRINAGAR: More than 1.44 lakh Yatris have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra as another batch of 5,449 pilgrims left Jammu kashmir for the Valley on Thursday.

As per officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), 16,457 of the 1,44,457 pilgrims who have already completed the Yatra received darshan on Wednesday. Another group of 5,449 pilgrims embarked on the Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in two protected convoys. Of these, 1666 are headed for the base camp in Baltal, while 3783 are headed for Pahalgam.

The Meteorological department has forecast light to moderate rain along both the Yatra routes. 

Those taking the traditional Pahalgam path must walk 48 kilometres over the course of four days, whilst those taking the shorter Baltal way must go 14 miles.  For the Yatris, there are helicopter services available on both routes.

The ice stalagmite structure in the cave shrine, which is 3888 metres above sea level, waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. The pillgrims believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolizes mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

The 43-day Amarnath Yatra 2022 began on June 30 and will end on August 11 at the festival of Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima.

Amarnath tragedy: CM Kejriwal met victims' families, will give Rs 10 lakh each

Amarnath Yatra will begin again, stairs leading to the cave are ready overnight

Amarnath Yatra restarts today after break