Srinagar, July 10: The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, which commenced on July 3, 2026, is continuing with great enthusiasm. Officials have reported that over 1.60 lakh pilgrims have visited the sacred cave temple so far. On Friday, another batch of 8,796 pilgrims departed from Jammu to the valley.
The ninth batch left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the valley early Friday morning. Among them, 3,350 pilgrims set out in a security convoy at 2:42 AM to the Baltal base camp, while another convoy of 5,346 pilgrims departed for the Nunwan base camp at 3:24 AM. The group included 6,426 men, 2,042 women, 228 sadhus, 10 children, and 33 foreign nationals.
A total of 354 vehicles were arranged for the convoys, including 175 buses, 70 medium motor vehicles, 106 light motor vehicles, and three two-wheelers. Out of these, 173 vehicles were designated for the Baltal route and 181 for the Pahalgam route.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Pantha Chowk Yatri Camp on Thursday. He stated, “The figures from last week indicate that this year, more pilgrims have come for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra compared to last year. This increase is not only a blessing for our spiritual heritage but also a positive sign for tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, giving a new impetus to the local economy.”
He expressed a desire for the finest handicrafts and handloom products from Jammu and Kashmir to reach across the country, ensuring that this unique heritage finds a place in every pilgrim’s home. This would honor our artisans and strengthen the spirit of the ‘One District One Product’ initiative, connecting faith, culture, and prosperity.
The Lieutenant Governor praised the efforts of the district administration, all relevant departments, the Shrine Board, police, security forces, and others involved. He emphasized the need for good coordination and vigilance to manage the crowd effectively, ensure a smooth registration process, and provide timely information to the pilgrims throughout the journey.
It is noteworthy that the Amarnath Yatra 2026 will conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Pilgrims trek to the 3,880-meter-high Baba Barfani temple via the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route. Those using the Pahalgam route take four days to reach the cave temple, while those taking the Baltal route return to the base camp on the same day after the darshan.
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