Srinagar, Aug 31 (KINS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that approximately 4.80 lakh devotees had darshan of Baba Barfani during the 57-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, held from July 3 to August 28, despite adverse weather conditions posing serious challenges for more than 10 days.
Addressing a felicitation ceremony, LG Sinha said 82 per cent of pilgrims completed their darshan within the first 20 days, while 95 per cent completed it within the first month.
He said around 54,000 service providers were registered for the pilgrimage, including 31,000 pony operators, pithu bearers and palanquin carriers, 6,400 tent and shop operators and 7,700 langar volunteers. Around 1.87 lakh pilgrims availed themselves of pony and palanquin services.
The Lieutenant Governor said 93 medical facilities were established along the Yatra route, with 595 clinical beds and 26 oxygen booths. Around 1,430 doctors and nursing personnel remained on round-the-clock duty, supported by 48 ambulances.
He said 7,900 toilets were installed and maintained by 7,900 sanitation workers under the zero-waste Yatra initiative, while the holding capacity was increased to 63,000 within the Yatra area and 54,000 across the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
LG Sinha said the sacred Yatra reflects India’s Sanatan tradition and its ethos of humanity, coexistence and collective service. He said pilgrims from across the country returned home carrying not only a religious experience but also the message of Jammu Kashmir’s culture and hospitality.
Thanking civil society groups, political parties and religious leaders for their support, the Lieutenant Governor said the discipline, energy and coordination demonstrated during the pilgrimage should become an enduring part of Jammu Kashmir’s development ethos.
“I am confident that every citizen of Jammu Kashmir fulfilled their moral responsibility towards this Yatra, directly or indirectly, and elevated the rich cultural tradition of UT before the entire country,” he said.
“The sacred Yatra of Baba Barfani has placed a clear inspiration before all stakeholders and the public that work is accomplished not by wishes alone, but by sustained effort. Through your own efforts, you have demonstrated that when resolve is collective, leadership is clear, arrangements are robust, and the spirit of service is paramount, no goal remains impossible,” LG Sinha said.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to officers, security personnel, sanitation workers, pony operators, pithu bearers, palanquin carriers, langar volunteers and medical staff for ensuring a smooth, secure and dignified Yatra despite difficult terrain and adverse weather.
He said the successful conduct of the pilgrimage was not the achievement of any single institution or department, but of “Team Jammu Kashmir” as a whole.
LG Sinha said the pilgrimage was a celebration of collective resolve that transformed hardships into duty, challenges into opportunities and service into a form of spiritual practice.
During the ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor felicitated officers of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Civil Administration, Army, CAPFs, J&K Police, BRO, medical professionals, service providers and other stakeholders for their contribution to the successful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.(KINS)
4.80 Lakh devotees paid obeisance at Baba Barfani during 57-day Amarnath Yatra; LG Manoj Sinha felicitates officers, security forces, service providers and stakeholders for successful conduct
