2 min readSrinagarAug 9, 2026 12:44 PM IST
In view of the repair work necessitated by recent rains, and forecast of more rains in coming days, the annual Amarnath yatra has been suspended on both routes, beginning Sunday. The 57-day yatra is unlikely to restart this year, officials said.
The yatra commenced on July 3 and was expected to conclude on August 28.
The yatra has been suspended on both tracks: The Chandanwari track in Anantnag district, and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Gard, said, “Due to the recent rains, a necessity for the repair and maintenance of the Yatra tracks at vulnerable stretches has been felt, which is being undertaken by Border Roads Organization (BRO).”
In addition, adverse weather conditions have been predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the next few days. Hence, the yatra will remain suspended from both routes with effect from August 9, Sunday, officials said.
The ceremony of “Chadi Mubarak”, though, shall proceed via the traditional Pahalgam route and shall mark the culmination of Yatra 2026 on August 28, Garg said.
The Amarnath temple in Jammu and Kashmir is one of the holiest shrines for Hindus, dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of a naturally forming ice structure. The shivlinga is located on Amarnath mountain, in a cave at a height of 3,888 m, and is blocked by snow most of the year. This is why the yatra, or the pilgrimage to the cave, is organised only once a year.
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This year, however, the ice stalagmite had melted in the early days of the yatra and since then, inclement weather has resulted in the halting of the pilgrimage at least twice.
More than 4.8 lakh pilgrims have visited the holy cave so far this year.
The yatra was marred by multiple road accidents this year; however, no fatalities were recorded.