The 45-day annual Amarnath pilgrimage is set to begin simultaneously on Pahalgam and Baltal routes in Kashmir from today. However, the first batch of 2,234 pilgrims left from Jammu for Kashmir on Sunday morning. Over 1.5 lakh pilgrims from across the country have so far registered for the pilgrimage, which takes place from the traditional 36-km Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district. To ensure violence-free yatra, the security top brass has ensured deployment of forces in various layers while as pilgrims will be provided with wrist bands fitted with microchips to keep a track on their movement.