Authorities suspended the movement of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley on Saturday after the Meteorological Department forecast heavy rainfall, particularly across the Jammu division. No fresh group of pilgrims was permitted to leave the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the pilgrimage base camps as officials adopted precautionary measures in view of the adverse weather conditions.
Officials said the suspension would be reviewed after assessing weather developments and road conditions. Particular attention is being given to the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the principal road used to transport pilgrims from Jammu to the base camps in Kashmir. Heavy rainfall can affect travel along the mountainous route, making continuous monitoring necessary before pilgrim convoys are allowed to resume their journey.
More than 4.75 lakh pilgrims had visited the Amarnath cave shrine by Friday, while the number of new arrivals in Jammu had begun to decline. The pilgrimage had resumed on Thursday following a one-day suspension imposed for security reasons on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. That day, the 28th batch of 1,801 pilgrims departed from Jammu under tight security.
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The Thursday convoy included 1,347 men, 351 women, 89 sadhus and 14 sadhvis travelling in 74 vehicles. It left the Bhagwati Nagar base facility at 2.45 a.m. for the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. Pilgrims are presently using the shorter Baltal route, as movement from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam has been suspended while maintenance work is carried out along the southern approach track.
The 2026 Shri Amarnathji Yatra began on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The annual pilgrimage takes devotees to the cave shrine, situated at an altitude of about 3,880 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas. The shrine contains a naturally formed ice stalagmite revered by devotees as a representation of Lord Shiva.
Authorities have not announced when pilgrim movement from Jammu will resume, saying the decision will depend on the weather and the condition of the highway. Officials are expected to reassess rainfall forecasts, track safety and road accessibility before releasing another convoy. Pilgrims staying at the Jammu base facility have been advised to await official instructions as the temporary suspension remains in effect.
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