Jammu: A second batch of 3,771 Amarnath pilgrims on July 20 left for the cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas from Jammu amid heavy security, official sources said.

The batch comprising 3,022 men, 322 women, 14 children and 413 sadhus left in 198 vehicles from MAM stadium, which is the base camp of pilgrims arriving from different parts of the country, they said.

The total number of pilgrims who left for the shrine situated at 3,952 meters in Kashmir Himalayas has risen to 6,452 in the month-long yatra that commenced on July 19. The first batch of the pilgrims will pay their obeisance at the shrine on July 22.

Meanwhile, Mahant Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amar Nath Ji, Deepender Giri conveyed his good wishes and blessings to the pilgrims.

Appealing to the people of Jammu, Srinagar and Anantnag district to help the yatris en route to the shrine, Mahant Giri said rituals and religious ceremonies connected with the yatra shall begin with "bhoomi pujan" and "dhwajarohan" on July 24 at Phalgam.

PTI