Sacred Journey Begins: LG Sinha Flags Off First Batch of Amarnath Pilgrims from Jammu

Amid chanting of Vedic mantras and religious slogans, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday morning flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra-2026 from Jammu.

By flagging off the first batch of yatris, the Lieutenant Governor formally commenced the annual pilgrimage amid elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive logistical preparations across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lieutenant Governor extended his best wishes to all the pilgrims for a safe, blessed, and spiritually enriching journey.

"May the blessings of Baba Amarnath Ji bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to everyone's life," the Lieutenant Governor said.

"Har Har Mahadev! The sacred journey to the holy abode of Baba Barfani begins! Flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp. Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a profound spiritual awakening. Every step taken on this holy path is a testament to unwavering faith and surrender to Baba Amarnath. Wishing all devotees a safe, blissful, and spiritually fulfilling journey. May Lord Shiva bless us all," the Lieutenant Governor posted on his social media handle.

Eminent spiritual leaders, heads of religious organisations, public representatives, senior officers of the civil administration, police, security forces, and the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), along with prominent citizens and a large number of devotees, were present on the occasion.

The flag-off ceremony witnessed enthusiastic participation from devotees, officials, and security personnel as the first convoy of pilgrims embarked on the sacred journey to the revered Amarnath cave shrine.

Speaking on the occasion, Jugal Kishore Sharma described the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra as one of the country's most revered spiritual pilgrimages. He expressed confidence that the annual Yatra would be conducted peacefully and successfully while appreciating the extensive arrangements made for the pilgrims.

He noted that the enthusiasm among devotees continues to grow every year and prayed for the smooth and successful completion of the pilgrimage.

Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, also extended his best wishes to the pilgrims. He said that the facilities and arrangements put in place by the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) would ensure a safe, comfortable, and hassle-free pilgrimage for all devotees.

Expressing optimism, he said this year's Yatra is expected to witness a record number of pilgrims, surpassing previous years in terms of participation.

Meanwhile, a spiritually charged atmosphere prevailed at both the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps, where thousands of devotees enthusiastically chanted "Bam Bam Bhole" as the annual pilgrimage officially commenced with deep religious fervour.

To ensure foolproof security, personnel of the CRPF's 137 Battalion, assisted by a specialised K9 squad, carried out an extensive sanitisation drive along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur ahead of the movement of the pilgrim convoy.

Authorities have deployed multi-layered security arrangements, surveillance systems, and extensive logistical support throughout the Yatra route to ensure the safe, smooth, and successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage.