Jammu: Pilgrims proceed towards the holy cave shrine of Amarnath during the ongoing ‘Amarnath Yatra’, in Jammu, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (PTI Photo)(PTI07_18_2026_000311B)
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Pilgrims proceed towards the holy cave shrine of Amarnath during the ongoing ‘Amarnath Yatra’, in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
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Amarnath pilgrims walk towards a base camp under security arrangements at Banihal, in Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir, Sunday, July 5, 2026.
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Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha being presented a memento during a Interfaith Dialogue organised by National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language and Inter-Faith Harmony Foundation of India (IFHFI), in Srinagar. Credit: @OfficeOfLGJandK/X

In this image posted on June 25, 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviews preparations and security arrangements ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, in Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. Photo: @manojsinha_/X via PTI Photo

Pilgrims wait in a queue to enter a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, in Jammu.
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A fresh batch of 6,900 pilgrims left for the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas on Friday, July 5, 2024, officials said.

The eight batch of pilgrims left the Bhagwati-Nagar Yatri Niwas in 277 vehicles for the twin base camps of Baltal and Palagam at 3.45 am and were escorted by CRPF security personnel, they said.

While 4,377 pilgrims took the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route, 2,542 pilgrims took the shorter but steep 14-km Baltal route, they said. 

ith this, a total of 44,441 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley since June 28.

The number of pilgrims who have paid obeisance at the shrine till date stands at 1,33,000.

The 52-days yatra formally began from June 29 and will conclude on August 19.  More than 4.5 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine last year.

Security personnel stand guard as pilgrims wait to register for the annual Amarnath Yatra at Saraswati Dham Railway Station, in Jammu, on June 30, 2024.
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A third batch of 6,619 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in two separate convoys to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the Kashmir Himalayas, officials said on June 30.

About 14,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine located at a height of 3,880 metres on the first day of the 52-day annual yatra, which commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on Saturday, the officials said.

The third batch, including 1,141 women, left in 319 vehicles between 3.50 a.m. and 4.45 a.m. amid tight security.

It was raining in Jammu when the pilgrims left for Kashmir, the officials said, adding that 3,838 devotees opted for the Pahalgam route while 2,781 were heading for Baltal to perform the yatra.

With this, a total of 13,103 pilgrims left the Jammu base camp for the Valley since June 28 when Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.

The pilgrimage will conclude on August 19. More than 4.5 lakh pilgrims paid their obeisance at the cave shrine, housing a naturally-formed ice lingam, last year.

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New Delhi:

The longest-ever Amarnath yatra, lasting 62 days, is nearing its completion and has been incident free this year as more than four lakh seventy thousand pilgrims did darshan.

“Resolve of the government supported by locals of Kashmir ensured that the Yatra not only remained terror-incident free but also no law and order issue was also reported during the days yatra was on,” a senior official in the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The 62-day long Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 1 and is set to end on August 31. Till August 21 more than 4.70 lakh people paid obeisance at the holy cave. Last year total of 3,04,493 pilgrims performed darshan.

The Yatra, however, has been suspended since last nine days due to weather conditions.

“Amidst elaborate security arrangements by J&K Police, CAPFs and UT administration, the yatra has been incident free with excellent arrangements for langar, health-care, sanitation and transportation,” a senior official in charge of operation said.

According to him security apparatus in the valley was at an all-time high during the yatra period.

“Hi-tech equipment including drones, advanced technical instruments etc were deployed while quick response teams, avalanche rescue teams, medical teams and NDRF teams have ensured safe passage of devotees in the difficult mountainous terrain,” he explained.

The Yatra this year also witnessed foreign pilgrims from the USA, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia and South-Korea.

Several distinguished personalities from various walks of life including badminton player Saina Nehwal, Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan, spiritual guru Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami also visited the holy cave.

Commemoration of Kargil Diwas was also honoured at all yatra base camps.

“Kashmir is on path of peace and recovery from old days of strikes. Security forces managed to provide full security cover to G20 summit first and then Yatra,” a senior functionary of JK administration said.

The weather favoured the yatra. However, 46 yatris lost their lives due to different health reasons. Last year, 71 deaths were reported.

The saffron-robed holy mace of Lord Shiva, popularly known as ‘Chhari Mubarak’, Tuesday reached Sheshnag where it will halt for the night before heading for the Amarnath holy cave shrine, officials said.

Amidst religious chants, the Chhari was taken from Chandanwari to Sheshnag by Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the holy mace.