# Amarnath Yatra Kicks Off as Manoj Sinha Flags Off First Batch of Pilgrims

> The Amarnath Yatra has begun in Jammu and Kashmir, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagging off the first batch of pilgrims; the pilgrimage will continue until August 28.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Religion · **Published:** 2026-07-02 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/religion/manoj-sinha-ne-dikhai-hari-jhndi-amarnath-yatra-ka-pahala-jattha-besa-kainpa-se-ravana-3999 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Amarnath Yatra, Manoj Sinha, Baba Barfani, Jammu Kashmir, Amit Shah, Baltal, Pahalgam

The annual Amarnath Yatra officially began in Jammu and Kashmir today, Thursday, July 2. Early in the morning, the first batch of pilgrims set off for the base camp, chanting hymns in honour of Baba Barfani. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off this first batch of pilgrims. Before flagging them off, he also performed prayers for the wellbeing of all the devotees. Amid chants of Har Har Mahadev, the pilgrims who left with this first batch will have their first darshan of Baba Barfani on Friday.

## Yatra to run for 57 days, here is the full schedule
The formal journey from the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps will begin from tomorrow, Friday, morning. The yatra will continue until August 28, which means this year's Amarnath Yatra will run for a total of 57 days. As is the case every year, lakhs of devotees are expected to take part in the pilgrimage this time as well.

## Tight security cover in place, Amit Shah personally reviewed preparations
Given the scale of the Amarnath Yatra, the government has put in place strict security arrangements. Security personnel are keeping a close watch at every point along the route, and the government's instructions are clear that devotees should face no trouble during the journey. The Central Armed Police Force, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and all other security agencies have coordinated closely to tighten security for the pilgrims. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also held a meeting with officials to review the preparations for the Amarnath Yatra. During that meeting, Amit Shah had directed officials to put in place a multi-layered and impenetrable security cordon. Devotees, for their part, appear satisfied and happy with the arrangements made for both the journey and their safety.

## Where the Amarnath cave is located and the routes pilgrims take
The Amarnath cave is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of about 3,880 metres. The yatra begins simultaneously from two different routes. The first is the traditional, 48 kilometre long Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district, while the second is the 14 kilometre long Baltal route in Ganderbal district, which is shorter in distance but involves a much steeper climb. Every year, lakhs of pilgrims from across the country travel along these two routes to reach the Amarnath cave for darshan of Baba Barfani.

## What this means for you
- **Across India:** Pilgrims planning to join the yatra now know the full schedule and can travel to the base camps anytime until August 28.
- **In Jammu and Kashmir:** Heavy deployment of security forces along the yatra routes and surrounding areas may affect local movement and daily life for the full 57-day duration.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When did the Amarnath Yatra begin?
The Amarnath Yatra began today, Thursday, July 2.

### 2. Who flagged off the first batch of pilgrims?
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims.

### 3. How long will the Amarnath Yatra continue?
The yatra will continue until August 28, running for a total of 57 days.

### 4. When will pilgrims get their first darshan?
Pilgrims in the first batch will have their first darshan of Baba Barfani on Friday.

### 5. What routes are used for the yatra?
The yatra begins simultaneously via the 48 kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14 kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

### 6. Where is the Amarnath cave located and how high is it?
The Amarnath cave is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir at an altitude of about 3,880 metres.

### 7. What security arrangements have been made?
The Central Armed Police Force, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies have jointly built a multi-layered security cordon on the directions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

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