276,000 Hindu pilgrims pass safely into tense Kashmir valley

Travellers praise the security on annual trip to shrine of Amarnath coming in the wake of major unrest in the state.

A group of female pilgrims starts a journey to the Amarnath cave-temple 3,900 metres up from the Baltal base camp.

Jul 23, 2010

BALTAL, KASHMIR // An annual Hindu pilgrimage to a holy site in the Muslim majority valley of Kashmir has so far passed off peacefully, despite coming at a time of major unrest as separatists battle the Indian army in their efforts to "liberate" the region from New Delhi's rule. More than 276,000 people have made the journey so far, according to officials, and it is expected that more than 500,000 will make it in total.