More than 85,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy ice cave of Amarnath in just four days of the 2026 annual Yatra, which began last week, officials said. The Yatra started on both traditional treks — from Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal in Sonamarg — with pilgrims chanting religious hymns on their way to the cave shrine.
As per official numbers, nearly 30,500 pilgrims from across the country visited the shrine in ten separate batches from Pahalgam and Sonamarg. The weather conditions at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps remained wet on the third day with rainfall increasing the difficulty for Yatris.
The Yatris, after performing darshan, started their return journey towards their respective base camps, reports said.
While a fifth batch of over 5,700 Yatris started their journey to the holy cave, a sixth batch of over 8,700 pilgrims is expected to reach the base camp in the afternoon today.
With the departure of 8,700 pilgrims today, a total of around 30,500 Yatris have left Jammu for Kashmir since Friday.
The authorities have put in place multi-layered security arrangements along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the twin tracks of Baltal and Pahalgam, as well as the holy cave, for the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
A multi-pronged security setup has been put in place in and around Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas and at the Tawi river-front where Tatkal registration of pilgrims and token distribution is underway.
“No pilgrim will be permitted to travel before their registered date.
Please travel only on your registered date. Pilgrims who have arrived in Jammu and Kashmir without registration are again requested to wait for their turn,” it added.
Also read: Sixth batch of over 8,800 Amarnath pilgrims to arrive in Valley
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