The first aarti of Baba Barfani was conducted at the sacred Amarnath Cave Shrine, officially marking the beginning of this yearly pilgrimage.
This 57-day pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. Authorities have implemented extensive security measures and have advised devotees to embark on the pilgrimage only on the dates for which they are registered.
First Batch Begins Pilgrimage
The initial group of pilgrims was sent off from the Pahalgam base camp by Deputy Commissioner Bilal Bhat and SSP Amod Nagpure. Similarly, at the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district, officials also commenced the journey for the first batch heading towards the shrine.
On the same day, another batch of pilgrims departed from the Pantha Chowk base camp in Srinagar en route to the Baltal base camp to continue their yatra. The day prior, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had flagged off the first convoy of 4,822 pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu.
Government Issues Advisory
The Jammu and Kashmir government has advised pilgrims to travel strictly on the date specified in their registration, as reported by PTI. No pilgrim will be permitted to start the yatra before their designated date, as daily pilgrim numbers have been limited based on Supreme Court directives.
“Adhering to this daily limit is essential for the safety of pilgrims and to ensure the smooth operation of the Yatra,” the advisory stated. Authorities have also recommended that devotees complete advance registration before heading to Jammu and Kashmir, cautioning that only a limited number of on-the-spot registration slots remain.
RFID Cards for Pilgrims
Registered pilgrims have received personalized Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards with GPS tracking capabilities. This system allows authorities to monitor the movement of pilgrims, respond in emergencies, and track their journey along the route.
Multi-Layered Security in Place
Security measures have been heightened along the yatra routes, with police, paramilitary forces, and Army personnel deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The police have initiated Project Hawk Eye, which merges aerial and ground surveillance along the traditional Pahalgam route.
The security plan includes observation posts, sniper teams, drones, an AI-powered threat detection system, facial recognition technology, CCTV cameras, dog squads, and mountain rescue teams. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also dispatched 670 additional paramilitary companies to bolster security efforts.
No Helicopter Services This Year
The government has designated the Amarnath Yatra routes a ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1 until the conclusion of the pilgrimage for security purposes. Helicopter services for pilgrims will remain suspended for the second consecutive year.
PM Modi Extends Greetings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings to devotees participating in the pilgrimage, describing the Amarnath Yatra as “an eternal chapter in our spiritual tradition and cultural unity.” He also shared a letter for Lord Shiva devotees, outlining five pledges and encouraging them to undertake the yatra with devotion, discipline, and a sense of national responsibility.
बाबा बर्फानी के दर्शन से जुड़ी श्री अमरनाथ यात्रा हमारी आध्यात्मिक परंपरा और सांस्कृतिक एकता का शाश्वत अध्याय है। मेरी कामना है कि शिवभक्तों की यह यात्रा हर तरह से सुरक्षित और मंगलमय हो! इस पावन अवसर पर श्रद्धालुओं के लिए पांच संकल्पों से जुड़ा मेरा यह पत्र… pic.twitter.com/6Bc2Y9tXJC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2026
“My wish is that this journey of the devotees of Shiva be safe and auspicious in every way! On this sacred occasion, my letter to the pilgrims linked with five resolutions,” he wrote on X.
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