Srinagar, April 18:The first batch of 435 pilgrims, including 234 men and 201 women from Jammu and Kashmir, set out for Saudi Arabia on Saturday to perform the annual Hajj 2026 pilgrimage, marking the formal start of this year’s departure schedule from the Valley.
The pilgrims assembled at the Hajj House in Bemina and were later transported to Srinagar International Airport to board their flights to Madina. Officials said three flights have been arranged for the day to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims, and the departure process will continue in phases until April 28.
Authorities stated that comprehensive arrangements have been put in place at both the Hajj House and the airport to ensure the comfort and safety of the pilgrims. Special counters were established for baggage screening and documentation, while necessary facilities were arranged at the airport to assist pilgrims in preparing for their journey, including guidance related to wearing Ihram.
This year, a total of 1,75,025 pilgrims from across India are scheduled to perform Hajj, including 4,704 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir. Among them are more than 2,200 women pilgrims, including a small number of women travelling without a male guardian under the permitted category.
Pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee, stating that the process was well-organized and supportive. Tight security measures were also put in place, with additional personnel deployed at the Hajj House and along Airport Road to ensure smooth departures.
Officials further informed that while the majority of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir will depart directly from Srinagar, around 1,000 pilgrims will use the Delhi embarkation point, and nearly 50 pilgrims will begin their journey from Mumbai.
Meanwhile, several new guidelines have been introduced for pilgrims this year. These include stricter health screening procedures, under which individuals with serious medical conditions may not be cleared for travel. The option of self-cooking at accommodation sites such as Azizia has also been discontinued. In addition, pilgrims have been provided with SIM-enabled smart wrist devices for monitoring and communication, replacing the earlier identification bands.
Officials also noted that the permissible baggage allowance for pilgrims has been reduced from 40 kilograms to 25 kilograms, and immigration formalities are being completed at Srinagar before the flights proceed for refuelling stops en route to Madina.
Over the past few years, the number of Hajj applications from Jammu and Kashmir has shown a gradual decline. More than 14,500 applications were received in 2023, of which about 12,000 pilgrims were selected through a draw of lots. In 2024, approximately 7,800 applications were submitted against a quota of 11,500, while in 2025 around 4,300 applications were received for 8,100 seats. For Hajj 2026, a total of 4,704 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are undertaking the pilgrimage against an allotted quota of 7,900 seats.
