The Amarnath Yatra 2026 resumed on Saturday after a six-day suspension caused by heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir. A fresh batch of 6,269 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for the Baltal base camp in Kashmir Valley under elaborate security arrangements, officials said.
The pilgrimage had been halted on July 19 as a precaution following persistent rain and deteriorating conditions along the two traditional routes to the holy Amarnath cave shrine.
Over 6,000 Pilgrims Resume Journey
According to officials, the 18th batch of pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar at around 2:40 am in a convoy of 223 vehicles.
The batch included:
- 6,269 pilgrims
- 1,470 women
- 25 children
- 54 sadhus
Officials confirmed that no convoy was dispatched via the Pahalgam route, with Saturday’s movement restricted to the Baltal base camp.
Yatra Resumes After Weather Improves
The annual pilgrimage was suspended on July 19 after continuous rainfall triggered hazardous conditions along both the:
- 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district
- 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district
The pilgrimage resumed after weather conditions improved and the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway became operational again. The highway had remained closed for three days due to landslides and shooting stones along the Udhampur-Ramban stretch, disrupting travel between Jammu and Kashmir.
Pilgrimage Continues Under Tight Security
Pilgrims travelling from the Jammu base camp are transported to Kashmir in escorted convoys with comprehensive security arrangements in place.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar on July 2, a day before the annual yatra officially began.
Nearly Four Lakh Devotees Have Visited Shrine
Officials said that nearly four lakh pilgrims have offered prayers at the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine so far during this year’s pilgrimage.
Of these, around 1.20 lakh devotees have begun their journey from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu.
The Amarnath Yatra 2026 is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.