SRINAGAR: The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra concluded in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima. More than 4.8 lakh pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage to the sacred Himalayan cave shrine during this year’s yatra, according to the latest Akashvani update.
The scheduled 57-day pilgrimage began on July 3, with devotees travelling through the traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The Amarnath cave shrine, situated at an altitude of approximately 3,888 metres, is revered for its naturally formed ice Shivling.
Chhari Mubarak Marks Ceremonial Conclusion
The traditional culmination of the pilgrimage is marked by the arrival of the sacred Chhari Mubarak, or holy mace of Lord Shiva, at the cave shrine. The procession is led by its custodian, Mahant Deependra Giri.
The ritual holds special significance because the annual pilgrimage traditionally concludes on Shravan Purnima, which coincides with Raksha Bandhan this year.
More Than 4.8 Lakh Pilgrims Perform Darshan
Pilgrim turnout remained strong during the 2026 season. By August 6, more than 4.7 lakh devotees had already performed darshan, with the figure subsequently crossing 4.8 lakh before the regular pilgrimage movement was suspended.
The turnout came despite challenging Himalayan weather and disruptions affecting both pilgrimage routes during the season.
Yatra Movement Suspended Earlier Due to Rain
An important update to this year’s pilgrimage is that regular pilgrim movement did not continue until August 28.
Authorities suspended the yatra from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes from August 9 because recent rains had damaged vulnerable stretches of the tracks and extensive restoration work was required. Adverse weather had also been forecast for the region.
The Border Roads Organisation undertook repair and maintenance work, while authorities said the Chhari Mubarak would continue through the traditional Pahalgam route to mark the formal culmination on August 28.
Therefore, while the official 57-day pilgrimage period ends today, most devotees had completed their darshan before the suspension of regular movement.
Massive Security and Tracking Arrangements
Authorities had put extensive security and logistical arrangements in place for the pilgrimage.
Ahead of the yatra, more than 670 companies of paramilitary forces were slated for deployment along the routes. Mountain warfare teams, drones and round-the-clock CCTV surveillance were among the security measures announced.
Registered pilgrims were also provided RFID tags for real-time tracking, while medical facilities, sanitation, telecommunications, electricity, water supplies and disaster-management arrangements were strengthened across the pilgrimage network.
These measures are particularly important given the difficult terrain, rapidly changing weather and high altitude encountered by pilgrims travelling towards the cave.
Buddha Amarnath Yatra Also Concludes
Another major pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir, the annual Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra, also concludes on August 28.
The 12-day pilgrimage takes devotees to the Baba Budha Amarnath Temple at Rajpura village in the Mandi tehsil of Poonch district. Authorities had introduced multi-tier security and surveillance along the Jammu-Poonch route for the event.
With the arrival of Chhari Mubarak at the sacred cave, the 2026 Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra formally draws to a close, completing a season in which more than 4.8 lakh devotees made the journey despite weather-related challenges and an early suspension of regular pilgrim movement.
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