JAMMU, June 29: The annual Amarnath pilgrimage is starting from July 3, 2026 and lakhs of devotees are expected to perform the annual pilgrimage this time also. Among these visiting pilgrims, a significant number will be of those who are performing this revered pilgrimage every year and pay obeisance to the naturally formed ‘Ice Lingam’ at the shrine of Lord Shiva in Kashmir Himalayas.
“This time again, I am preparing for the pilgrimage of Amarnath Ji and it will be my 36th Yatra to the shrine of Lord Shiva,” said Deepak Kakoria, 54, a small businessman from Datia in Madhya Pradesh.
He further informed that over the years he found the facilities put in place for the pilgrimage are proper.
Munish Kumar, 45, running a furniture business in Nawada, Bihar, informed that last year he performed the Amarnath pilgrimage and this year too he has a similar plan and for that he will soon go for the registration process.
He said that during his pilgrimage last year, the arrangements were up to the mark and the same is expected this year too.
Pandit Jethmal, 70, from Bikaner, Rajasthan, a Pujari by profession, said last year he performed the Amarnath pilgrimage and this year too he is wishing for the same.
“During my last year’s pilgrimage, I found facilities up to the mark and there was no shortcoming of any type,” he maintained adding: “If one has to take a spiritual bath, one should visit Haridwar and if one has to perform a pilgrimage, one should visit Amarnath.”
Jethmal further said: “There was no problem or issue last time during the Yatra while for this time, I will comment only after performing the pilgrimage.”
Apart from these pilgrims, saints of all hues have started arriving in the ‘City of Temples’ from where they will proceed, after a brief halt here, for higher Himalayas in Kashmir valley to perform the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji.
Many of these saints also perform this revered pilgrimage every year and presently the ancient Ram Temple in Purani Mandi area of the old Jammu city is accommodating all such visiting saints as this complex serves as the base camp for the seers going for the revered pilgrimage.
Ram Bhajan, 54, from Agra (Uttar Pradesh) is all set to visit the shrine of Amarnath Ji in Kashmir.
He informed that he belongs to Juna Akhara and the present one will be his sixth pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave.
Ram Bhajan claimed that the pilgrimage relieves one from all the problems of life.
“I will be leaving Jammu for the holy pilgrimage on July 3, 2026 and whosoever goes for the revered pilgrimage is benefitted in one way or the other,” the seer claimed.
A south Indian saint, Shiv Rudra, 55, from Tamil Nadu, claimed that this will be his 24th pilgrimage to Kashmir Himalayas.
“I feel good while going for a pilgrimage,” he maintained adding that every time he visited Kashmir for the pilgrimage, he found the arrangements absolutely proper and up to the mark.
“Though strenuous, the pilgrimage of Amarnath is unique and blesses our lives with all good omens,” the saint continued.
Another saint, Bharav Swami, 50, from Tamil Nadu, who claimed to be from the Krishna Giri Akhara sect of seers, informed that the present one will be his 5th Amarnath pilgrimage in Kashmir.
“We love Bhole Baba so we set out for the pilgrimage without thinking of any benefits or trouble en-route,” he said advising the public at large to love all as all are the creations of a single creator.
Yet another saint, Dev Giri, 67, from Haridwar belonging to Panch Dashnami Juna Akhara, was preparing for his pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine for the 33rd time.
In a message to the general public, he advised for living in peace and following all the rules and regulations laid down by the authorities.
Shiv Niwas Tantrik Shamshani, a seer in his 50s, appeared totally different from other saints but he calmly spoke and informed that he is a wandering saint and this time he came from Badrinath area of Uttrakhand to perform the Amarnath pilgrimage for the second time.
“I am here because Bhole Baba called me,” he said.
When contacted, Mahant Rameshwar Dass of Purani Mandi Ram Temple informed that the temple has a capacity of accommodating more than 2000 seers at a time.
“The temple looks after the food and accommodation needs of the visiting seers in a proper way,” he said.
The Mahant said that the first batch of Yatra will leave Jammu on July 2.
“Since 2007, this temple is functioning as the base camp for the saints. The seers during their stay in the temple remain busy in Bhajan Kirtan and other religious activities,” Mahant Rameshwar Dass Ji informed.
