Amarnath Yatra 2026: Amarnath Yatra, which was halted for the last six days due to continuous rains, landslides and bad weather in Jammu and Kashmir, was officially restored on Saturday. After the improvement in weather and opening of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Udhampur-Ramban route, the authorities flagged off the new batch of devotees from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp.
According to officials, a total of 6,269 pilgrims are included in the 18th batch. These include 1,470 women, 25 children and 54 sadhus, who left for Baltal Base Camp in a convoy of 223 vehicles at around 2.40 am. Considering the weather and track conditions, at present the group has been sent only for the short 14 km Baltal route. No convoy has been sent yet for the 48 kilometer traditional Pahalgam route. All the pilgrims going from Jammu to Kashmir are being taken under tight cordon and escort convoy of security forces.
Green signal received after opening of highway and clear weather
On July 19, the Yatra was stopped as a precautionary measure due to heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir and both the routes leading to the holy cave (Pahalgam and Baltal). Also, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for three days due to landslides and falling of stones from the hills in Udhampur-Ramban stretch. As soon as the traffic became smooth after removing the debris on the highway on Saturday, the administration decided to restart the Amarnath Yatra.
Till now around 4 lakh devotees have visited
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had flagged off the group before Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp on July 2, after which the formal journey into the valley began on July 3. This 52-day holy journey will end on 28 August 2026, on the day of Rakshabandhan. According to official figures, till now about 4 lakh devotees have visited the Him Shivling in the holy Amarnath cave situated at an altitude of 3,880 meters. Of these, about 1.20 lakh devotees have started their journey from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp in Jammu.
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