Exclusive: News Nation releases first pictures of Amarnath shrine

Amidst chants of 'Bam Bam Bole', the first batch of pilgrims started on the arduous 45-km trek from traditional Pahalgam route, and 13-km from Baltal simultaneously, in the wee hours today, official sources said.

First pictures of Amarnath Shrine

1

The annual Amarnath Yatra began on Friday amid tight security, with pilgrims from both Balta land Pahalgam base camps starting their journey for the 3880-metre-high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.

First batch of pilgrims reach Amarnath

2

Amidst chants of 'Bam Bam Bole', the first batch of pilgrims started on the arduous 45-km trek from traditional Pahalgam route, and 13-km from Baltal simultaneously, in the wee hours today, official sources said.

Pilgrims reach Amarnath shrine

3

Heightened security measures have been put in place for the 55-day Yatra following intelligence inputs that militants might attempt to target the pilgrimage, sources said.