In Photos: Amarnath Yatra Begins Amidst Multi-Tier Security Grid

The yatra officially kicked off on Monday, 1 July, amid high security.

Stringent security arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

(Photo: Muneeb-Ul-Islam)

The annual pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre high Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir officially kicked off on Monday, 1 July, amid high security.

The first batch of pilgrims left for the shrine early Monday morning with over 40,000 security personnel deployed for the pilgrimage season.

Pilgrims enroute to Amarnath on the first day of the yatra.

Heavy security as pilgrims wait in queue on the way to Amarnath yatra.

Over 1.5 lakh pilgrims from across the country have so far registered themselves for the 46-day-long Yatra, which takes place on the traditional 36-km Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

The yatra is is scheduled to conclude on 15 August coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.

A market crowded by Amarnath yatra pilgrims.

A seer spotted enroute to Amarnath.

A long shot image of pilgrims mounted on horses enroute to Amarnath.

From old to young, pilgrims of all age groups flock to the holy shrine in Amarnath during this time of the year.

The yatra officially started from the twin tracks in Kashmir on Monday, 1 July.

Extraordinary security arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth, violence-free Amarnath Yatra this year.

Heavy Security in Anantnag to Pahalgam ahead of Amarnath Yatra.

Advisors to the Governor KK Sharma flagged off the first convoy of 93 vehicles including three motorcycles, carrying the pilgrims, at the heavily-guarded Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for Kashmir in the early hours, asserting that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure peaceful and smooth yatra.

The batch of pilgrims reached the two base camps Sunday evening and stayed there overnight before leaving for the yatra on Monday.

Security arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra.

A total of 2,234 pilgrims, including 17 children, left for the base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal, the officials said.

While 1,228 pilgrims including 130 women, seven children and 45 seers preferred the traditional Pahalgam route, 1,006 devotees including 203 women and 10 children and are undertaking the yatra from Baltal side.

During his visit to Kashmir last week, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah reviewed the security arrangements.

According to devotees, the Amarnath shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

Amarnath Yatra begins from Monday, 1 July.

Security arrangements made ahead of the Amarnath Yatra.

Stringent security arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

Over 1.5 lakh pilgrims from across the country have so far registered themselves for the 46-day long pilgrimage