Srinagar, Aug 5 - The annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine of Amarnath, which draws thousands of devotees every year, concluded here Wednesday.

This year's yatra concluded peacefully as the chief priest Deepinder Giri led the ascetics carrying the Holy Mace of Lord Shiva to the cave shrine in the morning after a night halt at Panjtarni amidst chanting of religious hymns.

Around 400,000 pilgrims visited the Amarnath shrine, which houses an ice stalagmite believed to be an icon of Lord Shiva, during the two-month-long pilgrimage.

Governor N.N. Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), took part on the special prayers at the cave shrine and prayed for peace and brotherhood in the state.

Expressing satisfaction over the smooth conduct of this year's yatra, Vohra complimented all the agencies, organisations, state government departments and the people of the state for making the 'yatra a satisfying and memorable experience for thousands of pilgrims.