First Amarnath Yatra batch flagged off

metro india news  I jammu

Manoj Sinha on Thursday flagged off the first batch of over 5,000 pilgrims for the 57-day Amarnath Yatra 2026 from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp under a multi-layered security cover. The pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine begins on July 3 via the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route, concluding on August 28.

After offering prayers, Sinha wished devotees a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey. Pilgrims praised the arrangements made by the administration, security forces and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

Officials said traffic restrictions and enhanced security measures, including technology-based surveillance, have been enforced along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. More than 3.9 lakh devotees have registered for this year's pilgrimage.