Qazigund, July 2 : The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 commenced on Thursday with the arrival of the first batch of 4,822 pilgrims at the Navyug Tunnel in Qazigund, where the devotees received a warm welcome from senior police officials, civil administration and local residents under elaborate security arrangements.
Officials said the pilgrims were received by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of South Kashmir, DIG CRPF, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulgam, other senior security officers and civil administration representatives, who greeted the yatris and wished them a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
Earlier in the day, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first convoy of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, formally marking the commencement of this year’s pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine.
According to official figures, out of the total 4,822 pilgrims, 2,510 are proceeding through the traditional Pahalgam route, while 2,312 have chosen the shorter Baltal route.
The first batch includes 3,707 male pilgrims, 816 women devotees, 16 children, 246 sadhus and 37 sadhvis, reflecting enthusiastic participation from across the country.
Authorities said comprehensive security, traffic management, medical facilities and logistical arrangements have been put in place all along the Yatra routes to ensure the safe, smooth and hassle-free movement of pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage. Officials expressed confidence that all necessary measures are in place for the successful conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.(KNC)
