Jammu: With the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra witnessing an overwhelming response from devotees across the country, more than 1.13 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine so far.
Reviewing the progress of the pilgrimage on Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the administration is committed to making this year’s Yatra a benchmark for spiritual tourism through coordinated efforts, world-class facilities and seamless management.
Chairing a high-level review meeting of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Lieutenant Governor directed senior officials to ensure that all pilgrims are properly registered and receive prompt assistance from officers deployed on the ground. He emphasised that the safety, security and convenience of devotees must remain the administration’s highest priority.
“Our goal is to make this pilgrimage a truly memorable experience for everyone and ensure they have access to the best possible amenities. Safety, security and hassle-free darshan of Baba Barfani must remain our top priority,” Sinha said.
Describing the annual pilgrimage as a symbol of India’s enduring spiritual and civilisational heritage, the Lieutenant Governor said the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is deeply connected with the nation’s faith and cultural identity.
“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a matter of immense pride for us and is deeply intertwined with the aspirations and spiritual consciousness of our nation. It reflects India’s enduring civilisational heritage and showcases the country’s unique soft power to the world. Ensuring the smooth, safe and successful conduct of the Yatra is our collective resolve,” he said.
Calling for close coordination among all stakeholders, including the civil administration, security agencies, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and service providers, Sinha said collective efforts should focus on making the 2026 pilgrimage a model for spiritual tourism across the country.
“I urge all stakeholders to work together in close coordination to make this year’s Yatra truly historic and set a benchmark for spiritual tourism across the country. Such a collective effort can create a model that inspires similar pilgrimages nationwide,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also appealed to pilgrims to experience not only the spiritual significance of the Yatra but also the warmth of Jammu and Kashmir’s hospitality, culture and traditions.
He encouraged devotees to support local artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs by purchasing traditional handicrafts and locally made products, saying such participation would strengthen the region’s economy while preserving its rich cultural heritage.
“By supporting and promoting local products, we can ensure that the pilgrimage becomes not only a profound spiritual experience but also a meaningful celebration of the local economy, culture and heritage,” he said.
During the meeting, Sinha also reviewed the functioning of the 24×7 Control Room established by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board at Lok Bhavan to monitor and coordinate the Yatra. He assessed arrangements along the pilgrimage routes, including deployment of security personnel, functioning of langars, queue management systems at various locations and facilities at the Holy Cave shrine.
The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar, Principal Secretary, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, along with other senior officers.
The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has witnessed a steady increase in pilgrim footfall this year, with the administration maintaining elaborate security, transport, medical and logistical arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of one of the country’s most significant religious pilgrimages.
Earlier, the largest batch of pilgrims so far this year, comprising 8,815 devotees, including 31 foreign nationals, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on Tuesday for the annual Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir amid tight security.
More than 93,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Himalayas during the first four days of the pilgrimage, with the figure expected to cross the one-lakh mark later in the day.
Officials said the sixth batch comprised 5,831 men, 2,193 women, 31 children, 598 sadhus, 131 sadhvis and 31 foreign nationals.
Of them, 3,989 pilgrims travelling in 181 vehicles left for the Baltal base camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, while 4,826 pilgrims in 182 vehicles proceeded towards the traditional Pahalgam route in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, taking the convoy strength to 363 vehicles.
With Tuesday’s departure, a total of 34,829 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for Kashmir since the yatra commenced on July 2.
The Bhagwati Nagar base camp echoed with chants of “Bam Bam Bhole”, “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Barfani Baba Ki” as devotees set out on the pilgrimage. Many pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the yatra.
Tuesday’s convoy was the largest since the start of the pilgrimage, surpassing the previous highest of 6,721 pilgrims on Sunday, an official said. A total of 5,794 pilgrims had left on Monday, while 4,812 departed on July 4.
The 57-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
