Srinagar, July 8 -- Jammu- The annual Amarnath Yatra witnessed its largest single-day departure on Wednesday, with a record 9,837 pilgrims leaving the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal.

Officials said that the seventh batch departed in a convoy of 361 vehicles. 5,337 pilgrims in 188 vehicles were headed for the traditional Pahalgam route, while 4,500 devotees in 173 vehicles left for the shorter Baltal route, reported news agency KNO.

The batch comprised 6,684 men, 2,730 women, 21 children, 320 sadhus, 80 sadhvis and two transgender devotees.

A heavy rush of pilgrims was witnessed at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas from the early hours of the day as devotees from different parts of the co...