Jammu, June 19 (ANI): Fresh batch of pilgrims left for Amarnath cave shrine on Friday, three days after the yatra remained suspended due to inclement weather.

Today’s batch comprising 1,139 pilgrims, including 619 women and 102 children, left in a fleet of 54 vehicles from the base camp at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu around 5 a.m.

According to sources, the cavalcade of vehicles was escorted by security personnel. They had crossed Batote and were expected to reach Baltal by evening.

Currently, the authorities were allowed to visit the shrine through Baltal route, as the other route from Pahalgam has not yet been fully cleared of snow.

Since the yatra started on June 15, only one batch of 900 devotees has left from the base camp at Jammu.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has set up three base camps at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu, Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal for providing food and lodging facilities to pilgrims.

Located in Jammu and Kashmir, the Amarnath caves shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Last year, over 450,000 pilgrims visited the cave. The two month long pilgrimage will conclude on August 5. (ANI)