More than 1.60 lakh devotees have completed darshan at the Amarnath cave shrine since Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026) commenced on 3 July 2026, as the ninth batch of 8,796 pilgrims departed from Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Friday, 10 July. The annual pilgrimage, one of Hinduism's most revered, is drawing higher footfall than the previous year, according to officials.

Convoy Details and Pilgrim Breakdown

The ninth batch departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys. The first, carrying 3,350 yatris, left at 2.42 am for the Baltal base camp, while the second, with 5,346 pilgrims, departed at 3.24 am for the Nunwan base camp on the Pahalgam route.

Among the batch, there were 6,426 males, 2,042 females, 228 Sadhus, 10 children, 33 foreign nationals, and 1 transgender yatri. A total of 354 vehicles were deployed — comprising 175 buses, 70 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 106 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and 3 two-wheelers. Of these, 173 vehicles served the Baltal route and 181 vehicles the Pahalgam route.

Lt. Governor Reviews Arrangements, Flags Economic Dividend

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Pantha Chowk Yatri camp on the outskirts of Srinagar on Thursday to review on-ground arrangements. He noted that this year's yatra has surpassed last year's pilgrim numbers, describing the surge as both a spiritual and economic signal for Jammu and Kashmir.

'The figures from the past week reveal that this year's Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has witnessed a greater number of devotees compared to last year. This surge is not only a blessing for our spiritual heritage but also a positive sign for tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, giving fresh momentum to the local economy,' Sinha said.

He also called for the promotion of local handicrafts and handloom products through the pilgrimage, linking it to the One District One Product campaign. Sinha directed officials to maintain tight crowd management, ensure a hassle-free registration process, and provide timely information to pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage.

Fraud Crackdown: Four Teachers Arrested Over Fake Registrations

In a significant security and integrity action, four local teachers were suspended and taken into police custody after an FIR was lodged against them for fraudulently registering yatris at the Manigam transit camp in Ganderbal district. The teachers allegedly collected large sums of money for fake registrations, according to officials.

Vigilance has since been enhanced at every transit camp and at both base camps to ensure the incident was isolated. Lt. Governor Sinha directed strict legal action against all those found involved in fraudulent registration practices.

The Shrine and the Two Routes

The Amarnath cave shrine is situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas. Pilgrims can reach it via the traditional Pahalgam route, which takes approximately four days, or the shorter Baltal route, from which devotees can complete darshan and return to base camp the same day.

The shrine is home to a naturally forming ice stalagmite that waxes and wanes with the lunar cycle. Devotees regard it as a manifestation of Lord Shiva's divine presence.

Yatra Schedule and Conclusion

SANJY-2026 is a 56-day pilgrimage that will conclude on 28 August 2026, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and the Raksha Bandhan festival. With footfall already exceeding 1.60 lakh in just the first week, the yatra is on course for a strong season — and authorities will be watching both the numbers and the ground-level security situation closely.