Amarnath yatra resumes after daylong suspension

The Amarnath Yatra resumed on Monday after its daylong suspension due to bad weather on Sunday.

A batch of 2,675 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the valley. "Of these, 1,131 yatris are going to Baltal base camp while 1,544 are going to Pahalgam," police said.

Officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) that manages the affairs of the yatra said: "On the 28th day of the ongoing Shri Amarnathji yatra, 1,629 yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave. Till date 3,19,355 yatris had the darshan of the Shivling at the Holy Cave."

Situated at a height of 3,888 metres above the sea-level in the Himalayan ranges in Kashmir, the Amarnath cave houses an ice stalagmite structure that symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva according to the devotees.

The ice structure waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. So far, 26 pilgrims have died during the yatra. In addition to this, two volunteers and two security men also lost their lives.

The yatra started on July 1 and will conclude on August 15 coinciding with the "Shravan Purnima" festival.