Sri Nagar, July 1- Considered as one of the holy Hindu pilgrimages, the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine in Amarnath, South of Kashmir, commenced on Saturday 28th June 2014 with the first batch of 8,000 devotees. Here are some pictures taken along the path of their arduous journey in the Himalayan valley:-Indian Hindu pilgrim trek to Amarnath cave during their religious journey near Baltal, some 125 kilometers (78 miles) northeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir.
Hindus believe the cave to be an abode of the god Shiva. The 44-day annual Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage) started from June 28, 2014.
An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard as Hindu pilgrims trek to Amarnath cave during their religious journey via Baltal route, some 125 kilometers (78 miles) northeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir.Indian Hindu pilgrims cross ice and snow during their religious journey to the Amarnath cave
An Indian Hindu pilgrim carries his child on his shoulder as he treks towards Amarnath cave during his religious journey near Baltal, some 125 kilometers (78 miles) northeast of Srinaga, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Response Force (JKDRF) men helping a physically challenged pilgrim to cross the glacier during the Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave
Indian Hindu pilgrims cross mountain trails during their religious journey to the Amarnath cave via the Baltal route, some 125 kilometers northeast of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Indian Hindu pilgrims cross mountain trails during their religious journey to the Amarnath cave
Photos: EPA