Jammu, July 2, 2026: The sacred Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 officially commenced on Thursday as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp in Jammu.
Marking the beginning of one of India’s most revered annual pilgrimages, the Lieutenant Governor extended his heartfelt wishes to thousands of devotees embarking on the spiritual journey to the holy cave shrine of Baba Barfani in the Himalayas.
Speaking on the occasion, LG Manoj Sinha described the pilgrimage as a path of faith and spiritual transformation.
“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a sacred path where devotion meets spiritual awakening. I wish all devotees a safe, comfortable, blissful and spiritually fulfilling journey. May this holy pilgrimage bring immense joy and divine peace to all,” he said.
Over 4,800 Pilgrims Begin the Sacred Journey
The first batch of more than 4,800 pilgrims departed in a convoy comprising 259 light and heavy vehicles from the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp under comprehensive security arrangements.
The devotees will travel towards the Kashmir Valley before proceeding to the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji via the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
Extensive Arrangements for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026
The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Administration, in coordination with the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), J&K Police, Indian Army, CAPFs, civil administration, health departments, disaster response teams, and local communities, has put in place extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Authorities have strengthened security, medical facilities, traffic management, accommodation, sanitation, communication networks, and emergency response systems to provide a safe and comfortable experience for devotees arriving from across India and abroad.
Dignitaries Attend Flag-Off Ceremony
The flag-off ceremony witnessed the presence of spiritual leaders, heads of religious organizations, public representatives, senior officers of the civil administration, police, security forces, officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, prominent citizens, and a large gathering of devotees who welcomed the beginning of the annual pilgrimage with great enthusiasm and devotion.
The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 is scheduled to continue until August 28, 2026, drawing lakhs of pilgrims to the naturally formed ice Shivling, one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
