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First batch of pilgrims performs pooja at Amarnath

The first batch of about 500 Amarnath pilgrims performed pooja at the holy Shiv Lingam on Monday even as the ongoing yatra has been suspended due to inclement weather on the route leaving about 7000 yatris stranded in Jammu.

The pilgrims reached the shrine, situated at an altitude of 3880 metres in the Himalayas in south Kashmir, around 0800 hours to perform pooja of the naturally formed Lingam, official sources said.

They said over 5000 yatris had arrived at the Pahalgam base camp over the past two days and they are also expected to perform darshan on Monday.

The yatra from the main base camp at Jammu was suspended for two to three days after authorities received reports about bad weather along the highway and Pahalgam onwards to cave shrine, they said.

Pilgrims all over the country have been advised to leave for Jammu only after ascertaining the status of the yatra, an official release in Jammu said.

So far 10,297 pilgrims have left Jammu for the Amarnath yatra, which commenced on July 19.

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