Amarnath Yatra 2026: Offline Registration Begins as Devotees Gather in Jammu Ahead of Pilgrimage

The spiritual fervour surrounding the Amarnath Yatra 2026 intensified as offline registration for the annual pilgrimage commenced in Jammu on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of devotees from across the country. The registration began a day before Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is scheduled to flag off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp.

The 57-day pilgrimage to the sacred *Amarnath Cave Temple, situated at an altitude of *3,880 metres, will commence on July 3 via two routes—the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter but steeper *14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal.

The enthusiasm among pilgrims remained undiminished despite overnight rain in Jammu, with long queues forming outside registration centres from the early hours of the morning. According to officials, nearly four lakh devotees have already registered online, while on-the-spot registration is being conducted for token holders. Token distribution also continued for pilgrims arriving from different parts of the country.

Registration and token counters have been established at key locations, including the Tawi riverfront, Geeta Bhawan, Ram Mandir, and Bhagwati Nagar, ensuring smooth facilitation for devotees.

Among those attracting attention was Sandhu Ram Kishan from Uttar Pradesh, whose unique attire featured Rudraksha beads adorned with coins from different countries. A devotee of Lord Shiva, Kishan said he had observed a 14-year ‘Maun Vrat’ (vow of silence) and had been undertaking the Amarnath pilgrimage since 2006. He described the Rudraksha as a symbol of spiritual strength and expressed his faith with the words, “Without Rudra, nothing happens.”

The registration centres echoed with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole”, reflecting the devotion and excitement of thousands preparing for one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimages.

With elaborate security arrangements, medical facilities, and logistical support in place, the administration is preparing to ensure a safe and seamless pilgrimage for the lakhs of devotees expected to visit the holy cave shrine over the next 57 days.