The first aarti of Baba Barfani was also performed at the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, marking the formal commencement of the annual yatra.
The 57-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. Authorities have put in place extensive security arrangements and advised devotees to undertake the pilgrimage only on their registered travel dates.
First Batch Begins Pilgrimage
The first group of pilgrims was flagged off from the Pahalgam base camp by Deputy Commissioner Bilal Bhat and SSP Amod Nagpure. At the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district, officials also flagged off the first batch heading towards the shrine.
Meanwhile, another batch of pilgrims on Friday left the Pantha Chowk base camp in Srinagar for the Baltal base camp to continue the yatra. A day earlier, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first convoy of 4,822 pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu.
Government Issues Advisory
The Jammu and Kashmir government has urged pilgrims to travel only on the date mentioned in their registration, PTI reported. It said no pilgrim will be allowed to begin the yatra before their allotted date, as the daily number of pilgrims has been capped in line with Supreme Court directions.
“Compliance with this daily ceiling limit is mandatory for the safety of pilgrims and for the smooth conduct of the Yatra,” the advisory read. Authorities also advised devotees to complete advance registration before travelling to Jammu and Kashmir, warning that only a limited number of on-the-spot registration slots are available.
RFID Cards for Pilgrims
Registered pilgrims have been issued personalised Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards equipped with GPS-based tracking. The system enables authorities to monitor pilgrims’ movement, respond during emergencies and track their journey along the route.
Multi-Layered Security in Place
Security has been stepped up across yatra routes, with personnel from the police, paramilitary forces and the Army deployed to protect pilgrims. Police have launched Project Hawk Eye, which combines aerial and ground surveillance along the traditional Pahalgam route.
The security plan includes observation posts, sniper teams, drones, AI-powered threat detection system, facial recognition technology, CCTV cameras, dog squads and mountain rescue teams. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also deployed 670 additional companies of paramilitary forces to strengthen security arrangements.
No Helicopter Services This Year
The government has declared the Amarnath Yatra routes a ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1 until the pilgrimage concludes for security reasons. Helicopter services for pilgrims will remain suspended for the second consecutive year.
PM Modi Extends Greetings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes to devotees undertaking the pilgrimage, describing the Amarnath Yatra as “an eternal chapter in our spiritual tradition and cultural unity”. He also shared a letter addressed to Lord Shiva devotees outlining five pledges, urging them to undertake the yatra with devotion, discipline and a sense of national responsibility.
बाबा बर्फानी के दर्शन से जुड़ी श्री अमरनाथ यात्रा हमारी आध्यात्मिक परंपरा और सांस्कृतिक एकता का शाश्वत अध्याय है। मेरी कामना है कि शिवभक्तों की यह यात्रा हर तरह से सुरक्षित और मंगलमय हो! इस पावन अवसर पर श्रद्धालुओं के लिए पांच संकल्पों से जुड़ा मेरा यह पत्र… pic.twitter.com/6Bc2Y9tXJC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 3, 2026
“My wish is that this journey of the devotees of Shiva be safe and auspicious in every way! On this sacred occasion, my letter to the pilgrims linked with five resolutions,” he wrote on X.
