Srinagar/Jammu: The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 officially started on July 3 with thousands of devotees embarking on a pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave Shrine in the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir. The annual pilgrimage started after the first batch of pilgrims left from the twin base camps at Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam), and an earlier convoy was flagged off from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The pilgrims chanted devotional slogans like "Har Har Mahadev," "Bam Bam Bhole," and "Jai Baba Barfani" on their way to the holy cave where the ice Shivling that is naturally formed and worshipped by the people as a manifestation of Lord Shiva is housed. The annual pilgrimage attracts lakhs of people from all over the world, from India and abroad.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration, in coordination with the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), has put in place extensive security and logistical arrangements to guarantee a safe pilgrimage. There are thousands of personnel from the CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, and other security agencies deployed along the pilgrimage routes. Surveillance systems, checkpoints, RFID tracking, medical camps, emergency teams, and traffic management measures have also been strengthened.
The pilgrimage is a spiritual journey of deep faith that symbolizes unwavering faith and devotion. He also spoke at the flag-off ceremony when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha offered his best wishes to all the pilgrims and assured them that every possible measure had been taken to facilitate a safe and comfortable yatra.
बाबा बर्फानी के दर्शन से जुड़ी श्री अमरनाथ यात्रा हमारी आध्यात्मिक परंपरा और सांस्कृतिक एकता का शाश्वत अध्याय है। मेरी कामना है कि शिवभक्तों की यह यात्रा हर तरह से सुरक्षित और मंगलमय हो! इस पावन अवसर पर श्रद्धालुओं के लिए पांच संकल्पों से जुड़ा मेरा यह पत्र… pic.twitter.com/6Bc2Y9tXJC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2026
The 57-day pilgrimage will continue until August 28, 2026. Pilgrims can reach the holy cave via the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter but steeper Baltal route, with authorities advising followers to carry valid registration documents, an RFID card, and a health certificate while following all safety rules issued by the administration.
The Amarnath Yatra remains one of India’s largest annual religious pilgrimages to Lord Shiva, drawing devotees out to pray for Lord Shiva in the Himalayan region. The preparation is well in place for a successful and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage season as an entire team will be involved in the journey, officials said.
