Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of over 5,000 pilgrims from Jammu as the 57-day Amarnath Yatra commenced under tight security.
July 2, 2026: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday flagged off the first batch of over 5,000 pilgrims for the 2026 Amarnath Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu under a multi-layered security cover. After performing a special puja, Sinha launched the convoy bound for the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal in Kashmir. The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine begins on July 3 and will conclude on August 28.
Amid chants of “Bam Bam Bhole”, “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Barfani Baba Ki”, pilgrims departed in escorted vehicles under tight security arrangements. Sinha described the yatra as a profound spiritual journey and wished devotees a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage. More than 3.90 lakh pilgrims have registered for this year’s yatra, while on-the-spot registration is also underway in Jammu.
Pilgrims from across the country praised the facilities and security arrangements put in place by the administration, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and security forces. Authorities have enforced traffic restrictions and strengthened surveillance along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage season.