4,822 Pilgrims Begin Amarnath Pilgrimage
The Baltal-bound convoy left the base camp around 6.10 am, followed by the Pahalgam-bound convoy at about 6.35 am. Both were escorted along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Srinagar: The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced with the first batch of 4,822 pilgrims departing from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Thursday under tight security arrangements.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the convoy, marking the start of the pilgrimage to the cave shrine located at an altitude of about 3,880 metres in the Himalayas. He performed a special puja before the flag-off and reviewed arrangements made for the yatra.
Sinha said the administration, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, police, security forces and other agencies had put in place measures to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage. In a post, he said, “Har Har Mahadev! The sacred journey to the holy abode of Baba Barfani begins! Flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp. Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a profound spiritual awakening. Every step taken on this holy path is a testament to unwavering faith and surrender to Baba Amarnath. Wishing all devotees a safe, blissful and spiritually fulfilling journey. May Lord Shiva bless us all.”
The 57-day pilgrimage is scheduled to formally begin on Friday and conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Pilgrims will travel via the Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
Officials said 2,510 pilgrims opted for the Pahalgam route and 2,312 for the Baltal route. The first batch includes 3,707 men, 816 women, 16 children, 246 sadhus and 37 sadhvis. The convoy comprised 259 vehicles, including buses, medium and light motor vehicles, and two-wheelers.
The Baltal-bound convoy left the base camp around 6.10 am, followed by the Pahalgam-bound convoy at about 6.35 am. Both were escorted along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Authorities said additional pilgrims have already reached base camps in Pahalgam and Baltal and are awaiting the start of the trek. Officials expect more than five lakh devotees to undertake the pilgrimage this year and said security and surveillance arrangements have been strengthened across all routes.