New Delhi: Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra – 2026 will commence on Friday. Thousands of devotees embarking on the sacred pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva amid elaborate security and logistical arrangements.

The 57-day pilgrimage will continue until August 28^th, allowing more devotees to undertake the revered journey this year. After departing from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu under escorted convoys, the first batch of pilgrims reached the twin base camps at Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan (Pahalgam) in Anantnag district on Thursday.

A total of 4,822 pilgrims travelled in two security-escorted convoys. Of these, 2,510 devotees reached the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp, while 2,312 arrived safely at the Baltal base camp. At Baltal, the pilgrims received a warm welcome from Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Transport Satish Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Armed Police Maqsood Ul Zaman, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, and Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama.

The officials interacted with the devotees and wished them a safe, peaceful and spiritually enriching pilgrimage. The officers assured the pilgrims that comprehensive security, traffic management and public facilitation measures have been put in place through close coordination between the Ganderbal Police, civil administration, Central Armed Police Forces, Health Department and other stakeholder agencies.

Authorities have also established dedicated Helping Hand teams, assistance booths and round-the-clock police deployment to provide guidance, emergency support and ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims along the yatra route.

The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Army, police, security forces, civil administration, local residents, service providers and volunteers have joined hands to ensure the annual pilgrimage is conducted in a safe, secure and seamless manner. Jammu and Kashmir Police reaffirmed its commitment to providing every devotee with a secure and memorable pilgrimage experience while extending best wishes for the successful and spiritually fulfilling Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.