Shri Amarnath ji Yatra 2026 (SANJY-2026) commenced on Friday, 3 July 2026, as the first batch of pilgrims set off simultaneously from Baltal and Nunwan base camps toward the sacred cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres. The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has urged devotees seeking on-the-spot registration to complete their advance registration before travelling to Jammu and Kashmir.

Formal Flag-Off at Twin Base Camps

The first batch from the Baltal-Domail base camp in Ganderbal was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore, accompanied by DIG Maqsood-ul-Zaman, SSP Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama, and other senior civil, police, and security officials. A parallel flag-off was conducted at Nunwan base camp by the respective Deputy Commissioner, SSP, and senior officers.

Devotees were visibly enthusiastic as they began the high-altitude trek, marking the formal start of one of India's most significant annual pilgrimages.

Security, Medical, and Logistics Arrangements in Place

Officials confirmed that comprehensive arrangements covering security, medical aid, RFID verification, and logistics have been deployed along both the Pahalgam and Baltal axes. The dual-route setup is intended to distribute pilgrim load and ensure a safe, smooth yatra experience across the full duration of the pilgrimage season.

SASB Advisory: Register Before You Travel

The SASB has issued a formal advisory reminding pilgrims that, as directed by the Supreme Court, a daily maximum ceiling on the number of pilgrims permitted on the route is strictly in force. Compliance with this limit is mandatory.

Advance registration was made available well before the yatra's commencement through bank branches across the country and online channels. The Board noted that most pilgrims have already availed this facility. As a result, Tatkal (on-the-spot) registration slots are extremely limited and cannot accommodate the large number of unregistered devotees arriving in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pilgrims who have arrived without registration have been requested to wait for their assigned turn. 'Be assured that every pilgrim will get an opportunity to undertake the Yatra, but this will be possible only according to the prescribed procedure and available capacity,' the advisory stated.

Registered Pilgrims Advised to Travel Only on Assigned Dates

The SASB also flagged a pattern of registered pilgrims arriving before their designated travel dates. Officials have made clear that no pilgrim will be permitted to travel before their registered date, regardless of circumstances. The Board appealed for cooperation: 'You are requested to maintain order and cooperate with the administration to ensure everyone's safety.'

With the yatra now formally underway, authorities will monitor daily pilgrim movement closely, and any adjustments to capacity or route access are expected to be communicated through official SASB channels.