Amarnath yatra begins through Pahalgam, Baltal

The annual yatra to the holy shrine of Amarnath began from Pahalgam and Baltal in Srinagar amidst tight security arrangements on June 29.

“The yatra began early this morning [June 29, 2017] from both the routes and so far more than 500 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine housing the naturally formed ice lingam,” a police official said.

Adequate security arrangements are in place to ensure that the 40-day pilgrimage passed off peacefully, he said.

Although militant outfits and separatist groups have assured that the annual pilgrimage would not be targeted, the security agencies are not leaving anything to chance.

A security vehicle escorts the first batch of Amarnath pilgrims, on way to the holy shrine.

A paramilitary soldier keeps a watch on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh flagging off the first batch of pilgrims.

Amarnath-bound sadhus chant religious slogans in Jammu.

The first batch of pilgrims who left for Amarnath Yatra, in Jammu.

Security personnel stand guard near a bus of Amarnath pilgrims.

1 / 3

Police and CRPF personnel are being assisted by ITBP and Army personnel to safeguard the two routes leading to the cave shrine.

The yatra this year will be eight days shorter than the previous year’s 48 days and will conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on August 7.

Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of the Lidder Valley, the shrine stands at 3,888m, 46 km from Pahalgam and 14 km from Baltal.