IN PIX: The extraordinary journey to Lord Amarnath

The annual Amarnath yatra began on Tuesday amid tight security with devotees leaving for the cave shrine from Jammu. We bring you some snapshots of pilgrims trekking to the lofty heights of the Himalayan cave shrine.

The naturally-formed ice 'lingam' of Lord Shiva at the Amarnath cave shrine.

Photographs: Umar Ganie

Pilgrims on horsebacks as they make their way to the shrine.

Photographs: Umar Ganie

Security personnel keep a close eye on pilgrims at a security checkpoint.

Photographs: Umar Ganie

A camp site for pilgrims setting out for the trek to the shrine.

Photographs: Umar Ganie

A security guard frisks pilgrims. Security arrangements for this year's yatra were reviewed by the Union Home minister P Chidambaram in Srinagar last week.

Photographs: Umar Ganie