A batch of 1,753 pilgrims left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Friday to perform the Amarnath Yatra, said an official.

601 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Baltal base camp while 1,152 proceeded towards Pahalgam in two convoys of 56 vehicles, he said.

Over 2,16,000 pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the holy cave shrine since the pilgrimage started on June 28. 

It will end on August 26 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival. Helicopter services are also available from both base camps.