New Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended his best wishes to the pilgrims embarking on the Amarnath Yatra, which commenced on Friday.

In a post on X, Shah said, "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."

श्री अमरनाथ जी की यात्रा सनातन संस्कृति के प्रति अटूट श्रद्धा, अडिग धैर्य, संयम और कभी हार न मानने वाली जीवटता का पावन प्रतीक है। आज से इस पवित्र यात्रा का शुभारंभ हो रहा है। बाबा बर्फानी के दर्शन-पूजन हेतु जाने वाले सभी श्रद्धालुओं को शुभकामनाएँ।
मोदी सरकार द्वारा संपूर्ण यात्रा…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 3, 2026

"My best wishes to all devotees heading for the darshan and worship of Baba Barfani," he said.

The Home Minister said 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.

Officials said the yatra started early morning from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route -- even as it rained intermittently. The batches of pilgrims, including men, women and sadhus, left from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, in south Kashmir's Anantnag, and the Baltal base camp in the Sonamarg area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal, at first light of the day, they said.

On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of over 4,809 pilgrims from the Yatra base camp in Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar.

The pilgrims reached the Kashmir Valley in the afternoon and received a rousing welcome from the administration and locals.

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They will pay obeisance at the cave shrine, which houses the naturally formed ice lingam formation. Stringent security arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of the yatra.