Srinagar, Aug 25: Over 160 yatris on Saturday left Baltal and Pahalgam base camps for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where the final puja of the annual pilgrimage will held on Sunday on the occasion of Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandan).

The 60-day-long yatra, which commenced from June 28 from both traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal tracks, will conclude on August 26 when the Chhari Mubarak, holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva will be taken inside the cave shrine for final puja. The Mace has reached Panjterni from Sheshnag on Friday.

A yatra official told media on Saturday that about 69 yatris, including sadhus, left Baltal base camp for the holy cave shrine early this morning. The yatris are expected to reach the cave shrine in the afternoon to paid obeisance.

Meanwhile, pilgrims who had ‘darshan’ yesterday have started their return journey to base camp, he said.

He said 93 pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp early this morning. The pilgrims will have to cover the distance and join the Chhari-Mubarak at Panjterni this evening so that they could participate in the final puja tomorrow.

However, yatris can undertake the pilgrimage from shortest Baltal track even on August 26.

The official said that 254 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine yesterday on the 58th day of the pilgrimage. Till last night 2,84,332 yatris had the darshan of the Shivling at the Holy Cave about 31 pilgrims had paid obeisance today and more are on way.