Smallest batch of 1,605 devotees leaves for Amarnath cave shrine from Jammu

The 22nd batch of 1,605 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Baltal in 54 vehicles, officials said. | Photo Credit: PTI The smallest batch of 1,605 devotees left the Jammu base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra amid multi-tier security arrangements on Friday (July 31, 2026), officials said.More than 4.47 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva in Anantnag district since the Yatra commenced on July 3. The annual pilgrimage will conclude on August 28. On Friday (July 31, 2026), the 22nd batch of 1,605 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Baltal in 54 vehicles, the officials said. With this, a total of 1,34,011 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the annual Yatra, officials said.Friday’s (July 31, 2026) batch was the smallest to leave Jammu so far. While 1,795 and 2,051 pilgrims left Jammu for the shrine on Thursday (July 30, 2026) and Wednesday (July 29, 2026), respectively, Tuesday (July 28, 2026) and Monday (July 27, 2026) saw 3,029 and 3,800 pilgrims leave the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, respectively. The Yatra was suspended for six days from July 19-24 due to the inclement weather forecast. It resumed on July 25. Published - July 31, 2026 12:46 pm IST