Amarnath yatra 2026: Registration opens, devotees gather at counters

Registration for the annual Amarnath Yatra to the sacred cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas has begun in Jammu, drawing a strong response as devotees thronged registration counters early on Wednesday. The pilgrimage, one of the most significant Hindu religious journeys, is set to begin on July 3 and will continue for 57 days , concluding on Raksha Bandhan on August 28 .

Pilgrims will travel through two traditional routes, the 48-km Nunwan–Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter but steep 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal, both in Kashmir.

Officials said registration is available in both online and offline modes . Punjab National Bank (PNB) has been designated as the nodal bank for the process. Across the country, 556 bank branches are involved, including 310 branches of PNB , along with branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Yes Bank, and State Bank of India.

In Jammu, six registration counters have been set up, where long queues were seen since early morning as devotees arrived before the process began. Bank officials said the response has been strong and is expected to rise further in the coming days.

PNB official Pankaj Kumar Verma said improved facilities and wider banking support have helped streamline the registration process. He added that authorities are expecting higher pilgrim turnout this year and are reviewing ways to make the process more convenient.

Many devotees expressed enthusiasm about the pilgrimage. Jammu resident Yamni Sharma said she wanted to be among the first to register and described it as her second yatra, adding that she will travel with her family. Another devotee from Punjab’s Pathankot, Vinood Kumar , said this is his 11th Amarnath Yatra , calling it a yearly tradition for his family.

Officials noted that rising participation reflects growing confidence among pilgrims, with many citing improved arrangements and a sense of normalcy in the region.