"My best wishes to all devotees": Union Home Minister Amit Shah extends greetings on commencement of Amarnath Yatra 2026
New Delhi, July 3
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday extended his greetings to devotees on the commencement of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, saying the pilgrimage reflects unwavering devotion to Sanatan culture, patience, restraint and an indomitable spirit.
In a post on X, Shah wished pilgrims undertaking the annual yatra a safe and fulfilling journey.
"The Amarnath Ji Yatra is a sacred symbol of unwavering devotion to Sanatan culture, steadfast patience, restraint, and an indomitable spirit that never accepts defeat. Today marks the auspicious commencement of this holy journey. My best wishes to all devotees heading for the darshan and worship of Baba Barfani," Shah posted.
Highlighting the Centre's arrangements for the pilgrimage, the Union Home Minister said the government has put in place extensive security and facilities for devotees.
"The Modi government has made robust arrangements along the entire route, including a multi-layer security grid, QR code-based registration, and strengthened facilities for devotees' accommodation, healthcare services, and disaster management, ensuring that every pilgrim's journey remains safe, smooth, and joyful," he said.
This comes after the formal commencement of the 57-day annual Amarnath Yatra earlier in the day, when the first batches of devotees departed from the twin base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan in Pahalgam towards the holy cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
Authorities have put in place elaborate security and logistical arrangements to ensure a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage. Personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Indian Army have been deployed along the yatra routes, while surveillance systems and RFID tracking are being used for crowd management and security.
The 57-day pilgrimage, which officially commenced today, is heavily monitored using digital surveillance and RFID tracking systems to ensure crowd management and safety. The annual yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the security efforts, I hope the government also focuses on environmental sustainability. The yatra generates tons of waste and disturbs the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Maybe we need more eco-friendly measures like biodegradable packaging and better waste disposal systems. Devotion shouldn't come at the cost of nature's destruction. 🌱
Amarnath Yatra is the true symbol of Sanatan faith! 🚩 No matter how many threats or challenges, the devotion of bhakts never falters. The home minister's words about "indomitable spirit" resonate deeply. This is our heritage, and with the government's robust arrangements, we can undertake this holy journey with peace of mind. Jai Shri Amarnath!
As an American who has visited India several times, I'm amazed at how the government manages such a massive pilgrimage in a challenging mountainous region. The RFID tracking and multi-layer security sound impressive. Respect to the devotees for their faith and the authorities for their dedication. Wishing everyone a safe yatra! 🙏
The arrangement is good, no doubt, but I wish the government would also focus on reducing the commercialization around the yatra. It's becoming more of a tourism event than a spiritual journey with all the VIP darshans and expensive packages. Sanctity should remain the priority. Still, best wishes to all pilgrims! 🕉️
It's beautiful to see how faith brings people together across India. Amarnath is not just a pilgrimage but a testament to the devotion and resilience of millions. The security measures in Kashmir are crucial, and I'm glad
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