Srinagar, July 9 (IANS) The Amarnath pilgrimage resumed Saturday after remaining suspended for a day due to bad weather, an official said. Over 26,000 pilgrims were allowed to move to the cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The pilgrims were allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine from Baltal base camp and the Pahalgam base camp today (Saturday)," the official said.

While 16,930 pilgrims moved from Baltal base camp of north Kashmir, 9,150 pilgrims moved from Pahalgam base camp of south Kashmir.

"Over 100 vehicles carrying 3,303 pilgrims left winter capital Jammu this morning for the Kashmir Valley. Also, 1,600 pilgrims were also allowed to move to Baltal from the Manigam transit camp," he said.

Giving details of the pilgrims who were camped at different safe locations on the south Kashmir route because of bad weather Friday, the officer said: "Around 9,000 pilgrims were camped at Pahalgam base, 360 pilgrims at Chandanwari, 12,789 at Sheshnag, 6,870 at Panchtarni and 3,915 at the holy cave shrine."

So far, 208,510 people have performed the pilgrimage which started here June 29 and ends Aug 13, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.

According to the official, 36 pilgrims have so far died due to natural causes. The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite formation that is believed to be a symbol of lord Shiva.