The first batch of 4,822 pilgrims of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2026 reached the twin base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan (Pahalgam) in Anantnag district on Thursday, 3 July 2026, as the sacred annual pilgrimage formally commenced. Minister of State (Prime Minister's Office) and Lok Sabha member Jitendra Singh announced that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at his parliamentary office in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu served sherbet, cold water, and free langar to the departing devotees.

First Convoy Departs Jammu

The pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys on Thursday. Of the 4,822 yatris, 2,510 proceeded to the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp while 2,312 reached the Baltal base camp by Thursday evening. The yatra to the holy cave shrine is set to begin in earnest on Friday.

BJP Office Runs Langar and Refreshment Service

In a post on social media platform X, MoS Jitendra Singh said: 'Today, on the auspicious occasion of the commencement of the sacred Amarnath Yatra, the workers of my Parliamentary office located in Jammu's Gandhi Nagar distributed sherbet, cold water and set up free Langar for the devotees participating in the Amarnath Yatra.' He added that his office workers also organised a langar service at Gandhi Nagar Hospital in Jammu, continuing a tradition observed every year.

Warm Reception at Base Camps

At the Baltal base camp, pilgrims were welcomed by Satish Sharma, Jammu and Kashmir's Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Transport; Deputy Inspector General of Armed Police (Kashmir) Maqsood-ul-Zaman; Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore; and Ganderbal Senior Superintendent of Police Sudhanshu Dhama. Officials interacted with the yatris and conveyed best wishes for a safe and spiritually enriching pilgrimage.

At Nunwan (Pahalgam), the devotees were received by Anantnag Deputy Commissioner (Yatra Officer) Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, Senior Superintendent of Police Amod Ashok Nagpure, Camp Director Atul Kumar, and representatives of several socio-religious organisations. Earlier, pilgrims were also accorded a reception at Walnut Factory Qazigund by Dooru Sub Divisional Magistrate Parvaiz Rahim, where flowers were showered on the yatris.

Security and Facilitation Arrangements

Authorities confirmed that elaborate security, traffic management, and public facilitation measures are in place. Dedicated helping-hand teams, assistance booths, and round-the-clock police deployment have been established along the yatra route, with Ganderbal Police coordinating closely with the Civil Administration, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the Health Department, and other agencies. Officials urged pilgrims to follow all advisories and cooperate with security personnel.

The Union Territory administration has made comprehensive provisions covering accommodation, healthcare, transportation, sanitation, drinking water, and free community kitchens. Service providers along the route are also offering SIM cards, trekking utilities, clothing, and footwear at designated stations. Pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the overall arrangements ahead of their ascent to the holy cave shrine on Friday.