BALTAL: Over 25 pilgrims who were suffering from breathlessness have been administered oxygen on Thursday at 12,000 feet by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel here.
According to the police, the pilgrims were on the Baltal route of Amarnath Yatra. In another incident, at least 15 pilgrims en-route to Baltal Axis were administered oxygen by the ITBP personnel on Wednesday.
The 46-day-long yatra began on July 1, the day of Masik Shivratri, and will conclude on August 15, the day of Shravan Purnima.
On Monday morning, a total of 1617 pilgrims (1174 men, 379 women, 15 children, 49 saints) began their journey from Pahalgam axis to Amarnath cave shrine from Baltalaxis and 2800 pilgrims (2321 men, 463 women, 16 children).
Situated at an altitude of 3,888 m, the Amarnath cave is considered as one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. The Yatra takes place from the traditional 36-km Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
The holy cave remains open during this period and it attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year.