SRINAGAR: The first batch of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra-2026 was flagged off from the Baltal Base Camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Friday, marking the formal commencement of the annual pilgrimage.
The flag-off ceremony was led by Rahul Yadav, Managing Director of the J&K Power Development Corporation and Nodal Officer for the Baltal Axis, along with Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Armed) Kashmir Maqsood-ul-Zaman, Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama and other civil and police officials.
The officials extended their best wishes to the pilgrims and prayed for a safe, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
The Baltal Base Camp echoed with chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev” as devotees, including men, women, elderly pilgrims and sadhus, set out on their journey to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji.
The annual pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrine is one of the country’s most significant religious events. Authorities have made elaborate arrangements along the Baltal route, with multiple departments coordinating to ensure the safety, security and convenience of pilgrims throughout the Yatra.
