The motorsport action will unfold over the next two days.
The track used by emperor Akbar and later Mughal rulers through the sylvan Pir Panjal range of the Western Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir will now witness the champion drivers locked in a battle for the top spot.
Despite a curfew in Srinagar today, most of the rallyists from various parts of the country managed to reach their destination.
Team Mahindra has placed its bets on Gaurav Gill, Karamjit Singh, Lohitt Urs and Sunny Sidhu.
Team Tata blazes into the rally with Sanjay Takale of Pune, Toufeeq Mughal of Srinagar and Arindam Ghosh of Kolkata.
The country's largest automobile manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, has Suresh Rana in its team.
For the first time ever, the rally will have a home team in Baba Reshi Lions. Overall, the representation of women is also higher at the event this year.