10 July,2026 03:14 PM IST | Srinagar | Anushree Gaikwad
Pilgrims ride ponies toward Amarnath shrine during annual yatra. Pic/ PTI
More than 1.60 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath cave shrine since the commencement of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026) on July 3, while another batch of 8,796 pilgrims departed from Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Friday.
Officials said the ninth batch of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in escorted convoys bound for the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps.
Of the total pilgrims who left on Friday, 3,350 yatris travelled in an escorted convoy to the Baltal base camp at 2.42 am, while 5,346 pilgrims departed for the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam at 3.24 am.
The batch comprised 6,426 men, 2,042 women, 228 sadhus, 10 children, 33 foreign male pilgrims and one transgender devotee.
A total of 354 vehicles were deployed for the convoy, including 175 buses, 70 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 106 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and three two-wheelers. Of these, 173 vehicles were assigned to the Baltal route and 181 to the Pahalgam route.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Pantha Chowk Yatri Camp on the outskirts of Srinagar on Thursday to review arrangements for the pilgrimage.
"The figures from the past week reveal that this year's Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has witnessed a greater number of devotees compared to last year. This surge is not only a blessing for our spiritual heritage but also a positive sign for tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, giving fresh momentum to the local economy," Sinha said.
Highlighting the region's traditional crafts, the Lieutenant Governor said he wanted Jammu and Kashmir's handicrafts and handloom products to reach households across the country through visiting pilgrims.
"I want the rich handicrafts and handloom products of Jammu and Kashmir to travel across the country, and this unique heritage should find a place in every devotee's home. This will honour our artisans and strengthen the spirit of the One District One Product campaign, weaving together faith, culture and prosperity," he said.
Sinha praised the coordinated efforts of the district administration, line departments, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, police, security forces and other stakeholders involved in managing the pilgrimage.
He stressed the need for close coordination and vigilance to ensure effective crowd management, a smooth registration process and timely dissemination of information to pilgrims.
The Lieutenant Governor also directed authorities to take strict legal action against those involved in fraudulent registration practices.
In a major development, four local teachers were suspended and taken into police custody after an FIR was registered against them for allegedly facilitating fraudulent registrations of pilgrims at the Manigam transit camp in Ganderbal district.
According to officials, the accused teachers allegedly collected large sums of money in exchange for fake registrations.
Authorities have enhanced vigilance at all transit camps and both base camps to ensure that the incident remains an isolated case and does not affect the ongoing pilgrimage.
Devotees undertake the pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in the Kashmir Himalayas through either the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route.
Pilgrims travelling via the Pahalgam route generally take four days to reach the shrine, while those using the Baltal route can complete the journey and return to the base camp on the same day after offering prayers.
The cave shrine houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite, which devotees believe symbolises Lord Shiva. The formation grows and recedes in sync with the phases of the moon.
The 56-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 will conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
(With IANS inputs)
