Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026: Fresh Batch of Over 2,000 Pilgrims leaves from Jammu Base Camp

JAMMU JULY 29 — A fresh batch of 2,051 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu early Wednesday morning to undertake the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, moving under elaborate multi-tier security arrangements, officials confirmed.

This 22nd batch of devotees left the base camp in a tightly escorted convoy of 82 vehicles—comprising 48 heavy motor vehicles, 33 light motor vehicles, and one two-wheeler—bound exclusively for the Baltal route in central Kashmir. The group includes 1,570 men, 369 women, two children, 58 sadhus, 21 sadhvis, and 30 foreign nationals, with security personnel providing a continuous escort along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to ensure safe passage.

The ongoing 52-day pilgrimage continues to draw massive devotion, with over 4.36 lakh devotees having already paid obeisance at the naturally formed ice Shivling inside the sacred cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas. However, authorities kept the traditional Pahalgam route temporarily closed on Wednesday for ongoing repair and restoration work following recent weather-related damage.

The Yatra, which had previously faced a six-day suspension from July 19 to July 24 due to severe weather before resuming on July 25, is scheduled to conclude on August 19, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. Officials have urged all pilgrims to strictly adhere to safety advisories and cooperate with security personnel for a smooth journey.