Dikhyaa Mohanty 
On the fourteenth day of the Amarnath Yatra, more than 24,000 pilgrims received a “Darshan” inside the cave shrine while another group of 7,392 followers departed Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Saturday. Officials said that more than 1.87 lakh visitors had seen the cave shrine since the yearly rites began on July 1.
“A fresh batch of 7,392 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the valley in an escorted convoy today (Saturday) morning. Of these, 4,897 are male, 2,095 female, 55 children, 319 Sadhus and 26 Sadhvi” stated officials.
19 persons have already passed away from natural causes. Yatris can access the Himalayan cave shrine by the traditional Pahalgam route in south Kashmir, which entails a 43-kilometer ascent, or via the Baltal base camp in north Kashmir, which entails a 13-kilometer ascent. Those who use the Baltal way return to the base camp the same day after receiving darshan, but those who take the Pahalgam route must travel for 3–4 days to reach the cave shrine. On both routes, yatris can also use helicopter services.
The cave shrine situated 3,888 metres above the sea-level, houses an ice stalagmite structure that devotees believe symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
