Srinagar, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended indefinitely after adverse weather conditions damaged the tracks leading to the holy cave shrine from both the Baltal route in north Kashmir and the Pahalgam route in south Kashmir, officials said on Monday.
Authorities said the damage to both tracks would require considerable time to repair. In view of the safety of pilgrims, the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2026 has been suspended, while pilgrims currently staying at the base camps and Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu have been advised to return home.
Registration for this year’s pilgrimage has also been closed, and no further movement of pilgrims towards the Kashmir Valley will be permitted. However, the traditional ‘Chhari Mubarak’, the holy mace of Lord Shiva, will proceed through the Pahalgam route and reach the cave shrine on August 28, marking the formal conclusion of the Yatra.
The 57-day SANJY-2026 began on July 3. More than 4.80 lakh pilgrims have so far visited the cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas. The shrine houses an ice stalagmite formation that devotees associate with Lord Shiva and believe changes with the phases of the moon.
Officials said only convoys carrying pilgrims back from the Valley would now be permitted.
The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir over the next two days. Authorities said the difficult terrain and high altitude of the shrine area could further affect the condition of the pilgrimage routes and surrounding areas.
Helicopter services were also unavailable this year as the area beyond the two base camps had been designated a ‘No Fly Zone’.
Despite the challenging conditions, the pilgrimage had remained incident-free, with J&K Police, Central Armed Police Forces and the Army maintaining round-the-clock security.
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