Amarnath Yatra Resumes After Six-Day Weather Halt; Thousands of Pilgrims Resume Journey to Holy Cave Shrine
The annual Amarnath Yatra resumed on Saturday after remaining suspended for six consecutive days due to adverse weather conditions, bringing relief to thousands of pilgrims who had been stranded at various base camps across Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities allowed the pilgrimage to restart after weather conditions improved and safety assessments confirmed that the routes had become suitable for travel.
A fresh batch of more than 6,000 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu under tight security arrangements. The convoy, comprising hundreds of vehicles, began its journey towards the twin base camps at Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan in Pahalgam, from where devotees will continue their pilgrimage to the revered Amarnath cave shrine.
The pilgrimage had been suspended on July 19 after the India Meteorological Department forecast heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir. Continuous rain triggered landslides, shooting stones, and slippery conditions along the mountainous trekking routes, prompting authorities to halt all movement as a precautionary measure. The suspension also affected several other major religious pilgrimages in the Union Territory, including the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, as officials prioritised public safety.
Officials said that engineering teams and disaster response personnel worked throughout the suspension period to clear debris, repair damaged stretches, and inspect vulnerable areas before permitting the resumption of the Yatra. Security agencies, medical teams, and rescue personnel have also been redeployed along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, along with the Jammu and Kashmir administration, has advised pilgrims to strictly follow official travel advisories and weather updates. Authorities warned that weather conditions in the Himalayan region can change rapidly and urged devotees not to undertake the journey without valid permits or outside the designated convoy system.
Despite the six-day interruption, enthusiasm among devotees remained high. Many pilgrims expressed relief that the Yatra had resumed, saying they had waited patiently at the base camps despite uncertainty caused by persistent rainfall. Local businesses, transport operators, pony owners and service providers also welcomed the restart, as the pilgrimage is a major source of seasonal employment and economic activity in the Kashmir Valley.
The Amarnath Yatra, one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimages, attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees each year who undertake the challenging trek to the holy cave shrine located at an altitude of over 12,700 feet in the Himalayas. The shrine houses the naturally formed ice Shivling, regarded by devotees as a sacred manifestation of Lord Shiva. The pilgrimage traditionally proceeds through the longer Pahalgam route and the shorter but steeper Baltal route, both of which require extensive logistical and security support.
Although the resumption marks a significant step towards restoring normal pilgrimage operations, authorities continue to monitor weather forecasts closely. Officials have indicated that any fresh spell of heavy rainfall or landslide activity could again affect movement if public safety is threatened. For now, however, improved weather has allowed the sacred pilgrimage to continue, bringing renewed hope to thousands of devotees waiting to complete their spiritual journey.
