Srinagar, July 2 (IANS) After remaining suspended for a day due to bad weather, the annual Amarnath pilgrimage to the cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir resumed early Saturday, an official said

‘More than 15,000 pilgrims were allowed to move towards the cave shrine from Baltal base camp at around 3 a.m.,’ a paramilitary official said.

Reports from Pahalgam base camp also said that around 5,000 pilgrims had started their 43 km uphill trek.

Over 35,000 people have already performed the pilgrimage that commenced June 29.

The Amarnath cave shrine, located 13,500 ft above sea level in the Himalayas in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, houses a stalagmite structure which Hindus believe symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.