Pilgrimage – Amarnath Yatra Crosses 2.75 Lakh Devotees as Fresh Batch Departs Kashmir
Pilgrimage – More than 2.75 lakh devotees have participated in the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, reflecting the steady flow of pilgrims visiting the revered Himalayan shrine since the annual pilgrimage began on July 3. On Tuesday, another batch of 5,335 pilgrims departed from Jammu under tight security arrangements, continuing the large-scale movement toward the Kashmir Valley.
Pilgrim Count Continues to Rise
Officials overseeing the pilgrimage said the number of devotees visiting the holy cave has continued to grow over the past 11 days, with the cumulative figure nearing three lakh. On Monday alone, 24,259 pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine, marking another busy day during the 57-day religious journey.
The latest convoy left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted groups. Out of the total pilgrims, 3,599 were headed for the Nunwan base camp along the traditional Pahalgam route, while 1,736 chose the shorter Baltal route before proceeding to the sacred cave shrine.
Highway Accident Injures 18 Pilgrims
The pilgrimage witnessed a temporary setback on Monday morning when a bus carrying yatris met with an accident near the Chanderkote Langar point in Ramban district along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
According to officials, the incident occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. after the driver of a Pahalgam-bound bus reportedly lost control because of a brake failure. The vehicle collided with another bus travelling in the convoy and also struck a parked car, causing damage to all three vehicles involved.
Despite the impact, authorities confirmed that no pilgrim sustained life-threatening injuries.
Rescue Teams Respond Swiftly
Police personnel and district administration officials, already stationed along the highway as part of the yatra management plan, immediately launched rescue operations. Senior district officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and senior police officers, personally supervised the evacuation of injured passengers and coordinated emergency assistance.
The injured pilgrims were transported to the District Hospital in Ramban, where medical teams provided immediate treatment.
Most Injured Pilgrims Discharged After Treatment
Hospital authorities stated that all 18 injured devotees suffered only minor injuries. After receiving first aid and medical examination, they were discharged the same day as none required extended hospital care.
However, the driver of the bus that experienced brake failure sustained serious injuries and remained under medical treatment. The injured passengers included pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Punjab, reflecting the nationwide participation in the annual pilgrimage.
Alternate Transport Ensures Journey Continues
To minimise disruption, the district administration quickly arranged replacement vehicles for the affected pilgrims, allowing them to continue their journey toward the holy cave without significant delay.
Although the accident briefly slowed traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, damaged vehicles were removed promptly and normal convoy operations resumed after the route was cleared.
Annual Yatra to Continue Until Late August
The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Located at an altitude of about 3,880 metres in the Himalayas, the Amarnath cave is one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Inside the cave, devotees worship a naturally formed ice stalagmite, which is traditionally believed to represent Lord Shiva. The size of the ice formation is said to change with the lunar cycle, drawing lakhs of devotees from across India every year.