Amarnath Yatra Crosses Four Lakh Pilgrims as Devotees Continue Sacred Journey

Srinagar, July 2026 : The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra achieved a significant milestone on Sunday, with the number of pilgrims undertaking the sacred pilgrimage crossing the four lakh mark since the yatra commenced on July 3. The development reflects the overwhelming participation of devotees despite challenging terrain and heightened security arrangements.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), hailed the achievement and expressed gratitude to Lord Shiva and everyone involved in ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

In a message shared on social media platform X, Sinha said that by the blessings of Lord Shiva, more than 4.14 lakh devotees had successfully completed the pilgrimage and received darshan at the holy cave shrine. He thanked the officials, security personnel, volunteers, shrine board staff, healthcare workers and all others who have contributed to making the annual yatra a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience.

Meanwhile, another batch of 4,474 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu on Sunday for the Baltal base camp in north Kashmir under elaborate security arrangements.

Authorities, however, temporarily suspended the pilgrimage through the traditional Pahalgam route in south Kashmir to facilitate maintenance work on the trekking track. Officials said the suspension is temporary and necessary to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims using the route.

The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

So far, nearly 1.20 lakh devotees have begun their journey from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu, from where pilgrims are transported to Kashmir in heavily escorted convoys to ensure their security throughout the pilgrimage.

Situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas, the revered Amarnath cave houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite that devotees worship as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. The ice formation is believed to wax and wane in harmony with the phases of the moon, adding to the shrine’s spiritual significance.

Pilgrims can undertake the yatra through two routes. The traditional Pahalgam route stretches approximately 47 kilometres and generally takes four days to complete, while the shorter Baltal route covers about 14 kilometres, enabling many devotees to return to the base camp on the same day after offering prayers.

In view of prevailing security concerns, authorities have declared the areas beyond both Baltal and Pahalgam base camps as “No Fly Zones.” Consequently, helicopter services have not been made available for this year’s pilgrimage, with all devotees required to undertake the journey on foot or through other approved means.

The successful conduct of the pilgrimage so far has been attributed to coordinated efforts by the administration, security agencies and the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, ensuring that lakhs of devotees can undertake one of Hinduism’s most revered annual pilgrimages safely.