The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 will commence on Friday, with thousands of devotees embarking on the sacred pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva amid elaborate security and logistical arrangements. The 57-day pilgrimage will continue until August 28, allowing more devotees to undertake the revered journey this year.

Ahead of the commencement of the yatra, the first batch of pilgrims reached the twin base camps at Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan (Pahalgam) in Anantnag district on Thursday after departing from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu under escorted convoys.