Jammu: The number of pilgrims visiting Amarnath this year has achieved a record-breaking figure. Within just three weeks and a few days, this number has surpassed 2.9 million. Police said, a batch of 2,723 passengers from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu had left in two convoys including security on Wednesday.

A police official further said, out of these, 1,247 passengers are on their way to Baltal base camp while 1,476 passengers are leaving for Pahalgam base camp. In the last 23 days, about 2.90 lakh devotees have visited the holy Shivalinga inside the cave, an official said.

The Amarnath Cave, located 3,888 m above sea level in Kashmir, is believed to have a huge ice structure, symbolizing the mythological powers of Lord Shiva. According to SASB officials, 24 pilgrims have died so far during the Yatra, out of which 22 pilgrims are reported to have died due to natural causes, while two are reported to have died in accidents.

Pilgrims can either travel to the holy cave via the relatively small 14-km-long Baltal route or even travel through the 45-km-long Pahalgam route. Devotees returning from Baltal route return to the base camp on the day they visit.

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