Undeterred by heavy downpour during the day the yatris continued their journey from both the tracks to perform darshan at holy cave at an altitude of 3888 metres. The yatra proceeded smoothly and was not hindered by inclement weather, reports said.

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As per reports, 28,818 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at holy cave by this evening. With this, a total number of 85,779 pilgrims have performed darshan at cave shrine during last four days. The figure may cross one lakh by tomorrow.

Till yesterday 56,961 yatris had visited the holy cave. The pilgrims who performed darshan in cave shrine today started their return journey towards the twin base camps.

Reports said that there is a huge rush of pilgrims at base camps and halting stations and there is lot of hustle and bustle in entire yatra area with thousands of pilgrims across the country reaching twin base camps daily.

The authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims at base camps and along the tracks at halting stations. Besides, the Langars established by various socio religious organisations for the facilities of yatris, thousands of tented accommodations have also been established right from Baltal and Nandiwan Pahalgam to holy cave.

The Yatris are apprised of weather forecasting in advance by the authorities though public address system at base camps for their safety. Moreover, elaborate security measures have also been made right from Pahalgam and Baltal base camp up to holy cave. The four tier security system is in place with Army and ITBP personnel manning the upper reaches and twin tracks CRPF is managing the base camps in coordination with J&K police personnel.

Meanwhile the fifth batch of 5794 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 267 vehicles for twin base camps of Baltal, Sonamarg and Nandiwan Pahalgam.

Out of them, 2304 pilgrims with 581 women preferred the shortest but steep Baltal track while 3490 including 630 women opted for longest and traditional Nandiwan (Pahalgam) track.

These pilgrims have reached to their respective base camps where from they will leave for onwards sojourn early tomorrow morning.

The authorities are repeatedly advising the yatris to arrange their travel to holy cave as per their date of registration as due to heavy rush no pilgrim will be allowed to leave for twin base camps in advance of his or her darshan date.

Meanwhile, there is heavy influx of pilgrims in Jammu as thousands of yatris from different parts of country reached here through different modes of transport daily.

Yatris were seen waiting in long queues in front of registration and token counters at Tawi riverfront, Ram Mandir, Purani Mandi and Geeta Bhawan from early in the morning.

However, the authorities have taken strict measures and no unregistered pilgrim is allowed to leave for darshan.