PHOTOS: A snowy trek begins for 7,000 Amarnath yatris

The annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath kicked off on Saturday with over 7,000 pilgrims trekking the 17-km northern Baltel route.

The 44-day yatra began under tight security provided by the army, paramilitary and the local police along the trek and at the base camps, north Kashmir Baltel and south Kashmir Pahalgam.

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The pilgrimage from the traditional Pahalgam route has been deferred in view of heavy accumulation of snow along the trek though officials say that massive efforts are continuing to clear route for the yatris.

The pilgrimage was flagged off from Jammu on Friday by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir.

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The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, which manages the yatra, has made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims.

The SASB has decided to allow 7,500 registered pilgrims to undertake the journey from the Batel and Pahalgam routes. All the pilgrims had to provide compulsory health certificate at the time of registration.