The first batch of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu at 4:00 AM on Thursday. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the devotees, who set out for the holy cave of Baba Barfani amidst resounding chants of 'Bam-Bam Bhole'.

This 57-day-long pilgrimage will officially commence on July 3, operating through both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, and will conclude on August 28 (Raksha Bandhan).

Strict Registration and Preparations

• Only devotees who had pre-registered, acquired their RFID cards, and successfully completed their e-KYC were permitted to join the first batch.

• So far, approximately 4 lakh (400,000) pilgrims have registered for the Amarnath Yatra this year.

• The administration has finalized all necessary arrangements—including security, medical facilities, and transportation—to ensure a safe and smooth journey.

• On Wednesday, LG Manoj Sinha visited the base camp to personally review the security, medical setups, lodging, electricity and water supply, as well as the help desks.

Char Dham Yatra: Badrinath Surpasses Kedarnath in Footfall

Simultaneously, the Char Dham Yatra is witnessing a continuous rise in devotee numbers. A notable shift in pilgrim trends has been observed over the last 20 days.

While Kedarnath led by over 2 lakh visitors until May 31, the trend shifted by the third week of June, with Badrinath taking the lead by June 30.