Nearly 17,000 pilgrims pay obeisance at Amarnath cave shrine

Nearly 17,000 pilgrims Thursday paid obeisance at the naturally formed ice lingam in the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

"On the 4th day of the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 16,789 yatris paid obeisance at the holy cave," an official spokesman said.

He said the yatra is progressing smoothly and till date 50,483 pilgrims had the darshan of the 'shivling' at the holy cave.

The yatra to the cave shrine commenced Monday from both Baltal and the Pahalgam routes in the Kashmir valley.

Multi-tier security arrangements have been made for the smooth and successful conduct of the yatra, which concludes on August 15.