A total of 8,150 pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Thursday as part of the eighth batch of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, under elaborate security arrangements.
According to officials, 3,445 pilgrims are travelling via the Baltal route, while 4,705 pilgrims are proceeding through the traditional Pahalgam route.
The Yatra convoy comprised 334 vehicles, including 175 buses, 55 medium motor vehicles (MMVs) and 104 light motor vehicles (LMVs). The Baltal convoy departed at 2:50 a.m., followed by the Pahalgam convoy at 3:38 a.m.
Officials said the cumulative number of pilgrims who have departed from Jammu for the annual pilgrimage has now reached 52,816.
Authorities have put in place comprehensive security, traffic management and logistical arrangements to ensure the safe and smooth movement of pilgrims to the twin base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam.
