Jammu: Over 53,000 pilgrims so far paid obeisance at the Amarnath shrine in South Kashmir while another batch of 3,988 devotees left here for the cave shrine on July 29.

More than 50,000 devotees had 'darshan' of the naturally formed ice 'lingam' till July 28, official sources said, adding that over 3,000 more offered prayers at the shrine till July 29 morning.

About 30,000 people returned from Pahalgam and Baltal stations till July 28 after completing their pilgrimage, they said.

A fresh batch of 3,988 pilgrims including 317 ‘sadhus’ left in a fleet of 203 vehicles for the onward journey to the cave shrine on July 29 morning.

PTI