The second batch of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra 2026 departed from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu early Friday morning, marking a continued phase of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji in Jammu and Kashmir.

A total of 3,865 pilgrims were part of this batch, which was moved under strict security arrangements and escorted by armoured vehicles and security personnel to ensure their safety throughout the journey.

Out of the total pilgrims, 1,735 chose the shorter Baltal route, while 2,130 opted for the traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam route, which is longer but traditionally preferred by many devotees.

Both routes lead to the sacred ice Shiva Lingam shrine situated in the Himalayas, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year during the yatra season.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration had issued a precautionary advisory ahead of the departure, clearly stating that only registered pilgrims would be allowed to undertake the yatra.

Authorities also highlighted that the tatkal registration facility had very limited availability and could not accommodate large numbers of unregistered pilgrims arriving without prior approval.

Pilgrims were urged to strictly follow their assigned travel dates and not arrive in the region ahead of schedule, as they would only be permitted to proceed on the officially allotted day.

Officials also noted that many registered devotees were arriving earlier than their scheduled dates, but they would be allowed to proceed only as per the fixed itinerary to ensure smooth crowd management and safety.

The arrangements reflect the administration’s focus on regulating the pilgrimage, maintaining order, and ensuring a safe and organised yatra experience for all participants.