Annual Amarnath Yatra Starts, Amit Shah Conveys Best Wishes to Pilgrims

NEW DELHI/JAMMU, Jul 3: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday extended his warm wishes to devotees as the annual Amarnath Yatra commenced, describing the pilgrimage as a profound expression of faith, endurance and devotion rooted in Sanatan tradition.

In a message posted on X, Shah said the Amarnath Yatra represents unwavering devotion, patience, discipline and an indomitable spirit. Marking the beginning of the pilgrimage, he wished all devotees a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey to seek the blessings of Baba Barfani.

The Home Minister also underlined the preparations made for this year’s Yatra, saying the Narendra Modi led government has put in place comprehensive arrangements to ensure the pilgrimage remains secure, smooth and comfortable for every traveller. He said a multi-layer security grid has been deployed across the route, while QR code-based registration, better accommodation, stronger healthcare support and improved disaster response mechanisms have been introduced for the convenience and safety of pilgrims.

The annual pilgrimage to the revered Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir began in the early hours of Friday from the two designated routes the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

Officials said pilgrims, including men, women and sadhus, started moving from the base camps at daybreak despite intermittent rainfall in several parts of Kashmir. The movement of yatris began under strict security supervision, with authorities monitoring the route closely to ensure a smooth passage toward the Himalayan cave shrine.

The first batch of pilgrims had been flagged off a day earlier by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatra base camp in Jammu. More than 4,800 pilgrims were part of the inaugural convoy that left Jammu amid chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” and heightened enthusiasm among devotees.

After reaching the Kashmir Valley on Thursday afternoon, the pilgrims were welcomed by the local administration and residents at several points along the route. The reception reflected the traditional hospitality associated with the annual pilgrimage, which draws lakhs of devotees from across the country every year.

The pilgrims are travelling to the sacred cave shrine, home to the naturally formed ice Shivling, which is regarded as a holy manifestation of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave, situated at a high altitude in the Himalayas, remains one of the most significant spiritual destinations for Hindu devotees.

Security agencies have put in place elaborate arrangements for the Yatra this year, with a heavy deployment of police, paramilitary forces and other support teams across the route. Surveillance, checkpoints, convoy regulation and emergency response systems have been strengthened in view of the challenging terrain and the large movement of pilgrims.

Officials said special attention has also been given to health facilities, weather-related contingencies and accommodation management to minimise inconvenience to devotees. Medical camps, emergency aid units and disaster response teams have been stationed along the route, while registration and tracking systems have been upgraded to improve coordination and safety.

The administration has expressed confidence that the 2026 Amarnath Yatra will proceed peacefully and efficiently, backed by close coordination between civil departments, security agencies and shrine management authorities.

With the pilgrimage now underway, devotees from across India have begun their journey to offer prayers at the holy cave shrine, carrying forward a centuries-old tradition of faith, sacrifice and spiritual devotion in the Himalayas.