Jammu, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday flagged off the first batch of devotees for the Shri Budha Amarnath Yatra 2026 from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage to the ancient shrine in Poonch district.
Sinha extended his wishes to the pilgrims and expressed hope that the devotees would have a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey.
He appreciated the efforts of the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas, VHP, Bajrang Dal, local administration, langar organisations and civil society groups for coordinating arrangements for the pilgrimage and the Budha Amarnath Ji Mela.
“The sacred journey to Baba Budha Amarnath’s abode is a deeply enlightening experience. I firmly believe this pilgrimage brings profound transformation and reveals life’s deepest truths to every devotee,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by spiritual leaders, religious heads, public representatives, senior civil and police officials, security personnel, prominent citizens and devotees.
The annual Shri Budha Amarnath Yatra is a 12-day Hindu pilgrimage covering around 230 km from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu to the ancient Budha Amarnath temple in Poonch district. The route passes through Rajouri and Sunderbani before reaching Rajpura and Mandi in Poonch.
The shrine is situated at an altitude of around 4,600 feet and houses a self-manifested white stone Shivling. Devotees traditionally take a holy dip in the adjoining Pulastya River before offering prayers at the shrine.
The pilgrimage is being conducted with arrangements coordinated by the local administration, security forces and community organisations, including the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas.
The broader Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra began on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
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