Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
A fresh batch of 8,150 pilgrims on Thursday departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 amid elaborate security and logistical arrangements, officials said.
According to official figures, 3,445 pilgrims are travelling via the shorter Baltal route, while 4,705 devotees have opted for the traditional Pahalgam route. The eighth batch was escorted in a convoy of 334 vehicles, comprising 175 buses, 55 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), and 104 light motor vehicles (LMVs).
Officials said the Baltal-bound convoy left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp at 2:50 am, while the Pahalgam-bound convoy departed at 3:38 am under multi-tier security cover.
With the departure of the latest batch, the cumulative number of pilgrims who have left the Jammu base camp since the commencement of the yatra has risen to 52,816, reflecting the steady flow of devotees participating in this year’s pilgrimage.
The 57-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 began on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 28. The annual pilgrimage, organised by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), draws lakhs of devotees from across the country to the revered Amarnath Cave shrine in south Kashmir.
Pilgrims undertake the spiritual journey to offer prayers at the naturally formed ice Shiv Lingam, regarded as one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. While the Baltal route offers a shorter but steeper trek, the Pahalgam route is longer and traditionally preferred by many devotees.
Authorities have put in place comprehensive security, medical, transportation, and disaster management measures along both routes to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Security forces continue to escort pilgrim convoys from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley daily, while civil administration agencies remain on high alert to facilitate the movement of devotees throughout the yatra period.
