The convoy carrying 3,600 pilgrims had early this morning left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here to undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra and offer prayers at the holy cave shrine.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said the rising turnout for this year's Amarnath Yatra reflects growing faith in the pilgrimage and offers fresh impetus to Jammu and Kashmir tourism sector, while reviewing pilgrim facilities in Srinagar.
The deceased, identified as Manoj Batra, had travelled to Jammu and Kashmir for the Yatra.
Amid rain and cold weather, the annual Amarnath Yatra commenced early morning on Friday, with the first batches of pilgrims leaving the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan for the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said. The mountainous cave shrine houses a naturally formed ice lingam.
The 57-day Amarnath Yatra 2026 has commenced with the first batches of pilgrims setting out from Baltal and Pahalgam under elaborate security, digital surveillance and extensive logistical arrangements.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said that the people of Kashmir for centuries have welcomed the Amarnath pilgrims and this legacy will continue with the same spirit and sincerity.
The Amarnath Yatra will commence on 3 July, simultaneously from both the routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
The DG, who is on a three-day visit to the Valley, proceeded to the 181 Battalion, CRPF, at Charar-e-Sharif shortly after landing in Srinagar.
The lieutenant governor ascertained the progress of the work emphasising timely completion of the project.
'Chhari Mubarak' (Holy Mace of Lord Shiva) accompanied by a group of Sadhus left Camp Panchtarni this morning for Holy Shrine of Amarnath on the occasion of Shravan Purnima and reached Holy Cave at 11 am after performing Pujan at 'Amar Ganga'.
