Kashmir,June 28,2026-Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday offered the Pratham Puja at the holy Shri Amarnath Ji Cave, formally marking the ceremonial beginning of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026. The sacred ritual, performed ahead of the commencement of the pilgrimage, signifies the official inauguration of one of India’s most revered religious yatras.
The Pratham Puja was conducted amid traditional Vedic rituals and prayers seeking the smooth, safe, and successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage. Senior officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), civil administration, security forces, and temple priests were present during the ceremony.
The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, with pilgrims undertaking the sacred journey to seek the blessings of Baba Barfani at the naturally formed ice Shivling inside the holy cave in the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ahead of the Yatra, the Union Territory administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure a seamless pilgrimage experience. Extensive security deployments, medical facilities, disaster response teams, sanitation measures, accommodation, transportation, communication services, and other pilgrim-centric facilities have been strengthened along both the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has repeatedly reviewed the preparations, directing officials to ensure robust security, efficient crowd management, smooth logistics, and comprehensive healthcare services for devotees. Authorities have also emphasized environmental conservation initiatives and cleanliness campaigns to ensure a sustainable and eco-friendly pilgrimage.
The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra attracts lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad every year, making it one of the country’s most significant annual spiritual pilgrimages and a major contributor to the local economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
