Meeting on preparations for the Shri Amarnath Yatra

February 15, 2026

On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 50th meeting of the Amarnath Shrine Board. Last year, the Amarnath Yatra was halted due to inclement weather. However, the enthusiasm of the pilgrims was so strong that the number of pilgrims ultimately increased.

Keeping this experience in mind, several new decisions were made at the meeting this time. The first announcement is that the first puja of the Amarnath Yatra will be held on June 29th. Laser and song shows dedicated to Baba Barfani will be held in both Srinagar and Jammu. These shows will beautifully showcase not only Baba Barfani but the spiritual history of the Union Territory.

While the official date of the Yatra has not yet been finalized, based on past experiences, the Shrine Board has decided to take several steps now. The first step is to increase the accident insurance cover for registered pilgrims, travel workers, and priests from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. The meeting also decided to implement several welfare measures to ensure a smooth, easy, and safe pilgrimage. The Governor directed officials to provide adequate toilet facilities along the pilgrimage route, and to identify the locations for these facilities immediately.

Previous experience has shown that heavy rains have caused severe discomfort to pilgrims, including security personnel and pilgrims. More sheds will be constructed to protect them from rain.

Weather forecasting infrastructure will be further improved to provide advance information about unexpected weather events. Four goals have been set: administration, security, surveillance, and service. To achieve these objectives, a digital prepaid system will be implemented on a large scale. Two routes have now been constructed to reach Baba Barfani’s cave. Crash barriers and safety railings will be installed at vulnerable points on both routes. Various departments will now monitor the progress and success of these projects.

It is worth noting that a large number of pilgrims from India and abroad visit the holy Amarnath cave to pay homage to Baba Barfani. The main emphasis in the 50th meeting of the Shrine Board was to ensure that the pilgrims and the management do not face any shortcomings in the facilities that were there during the last time’s tight security arrangements for the pilgrims.