Srinagar, July 3: The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Friday from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, with thousands of pilgrims beginning their journey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine amid tight security and elaborate arrangements by the administration.

The first batch of nearly 5,000 pilgrims had arrived in Valley on Thursday after being flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from Jammu.
On the Pahalgam axis, Deputy Commissioner (Yatra Officer) Anantnag Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat and Senior Superintendent of Police Amod Nagpure flagged off the pilgrims from the Nunwan Base Camp in the early hours.
The pilgrims were later transported to Chandanwari through a special shuttle service arranged by the Motor Vehicles Department before proceeding on foot towards the shrine.
The first batch was flagged off from the Baltal Base Camp in Ganderbal by Rahul Yadav, Managing Director of J&K Power Development Corporation and Nodal Officer for the Baltal Axis, along with Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Armed) Kashmir Maqsood-ul-Zaman and Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama.
The devotees chanted the religious hymns as they embarked on the pilgrimage. A light drizzle at Baltal added to the devotional atmosphere.
The Yatris expressed their satisfaction with the overall arrangements made for smooth conduct of the yatra.
According to officials, 12,168 persons performed darshan at Cave till 7 pm on Friday.
It includes 9,354 male pilgrims, 2,250 female pilgrims, 219 children, 71 sadhus, nine transgender devotees and 265 security personnel.
Meanwhile, the second batch of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys.
According to official figures, 1,735 pilgrims bound for Baltal route departed at 3:13 am while 2,130 pilgrims heading towards Pahalgam route left at 3:38 am, taking the total strength of the second batch to 3,865.
Officials said the batch comprised 2,965 male pilgrims, 618 women, 230 sadhus, 48 sadhvis and four children.
Authorities have made tight security arrangements for the yatra. A multi-layered security grid, no-fly zones along both routes, watchtowers, intensified surveillance and real-time monitoring of pilgrim convoys have been put in place to ensure a safe yatra.
Police have also issued tamper-proof QR code-based identity cards to all registered service providers, including pony riders, to enable instant verification and prevent impersonation by militants. RFID tags have been issued to pilgrims, vehicles and service providers for real-time tracking, while an extensive network of CCTV cameras is monitoring movement along both routes.
Officials said adequate arrangements, including accommodation, medical facilities, sanitation, transport and other essential services, have been made at various camps and halting stations to ensure a smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage.
Authorities have advised devotees to travel only in authorised convoys, carry valid identity documents, follow security advisories and immediately report any suspicious activity or unattended object to the nearest police personnel or through the emergency helpline.
The 57-day pilgrimage will conclude on Raksha Bandhan on August 28.