Amid heavy rainfall, a fresh batch of more than 3,500 pilgrims left Jammu for the Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas amid tight security in the early hours of Tuesday, officials said.

Over 3 lakh pilgrims have visited the 3,880-metre-high shrine of Lord Shiva, which houses a naturally formed ice lingam, since the annual pilgrimage began in July, reported PTI. 

Escorted by Central Reserve Police Force and police personnel, the 20th batch of 3,536 pilgrims, consisting of 2,601 men, 822 women, 11 children and 102 sadhus and sadhvis -- departed the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in 132 vehicles between 3:33 am and 4:09 am, the officials said.