Amarnath Yatra 2026 Guide: Every year lakhs of devotees reach Jammu and Kashmir to visit Amarnath cave, the holy abode of Lord Shiva. A large number of devotees from India and abroad come to this cave situated at an altitude of about 3,888 meters to have darshan of the naturally formed ice Shivalinga. This time Amarnath Yatra will start from 3rd July 2026.
In such a situation, if you are also preparing to go on Amarnath Yatra 2026, then before starting the journey, it is important to have information about registration, health certificate, travel permit, RFID card, both routes of travel, age limit and other important rules. So let us know everything about Amarnath Yatra 2026 from registration-route to travel permit.
When will Amarnath Yatra 2026 start?
According to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), Amarnath Yatra 2026 will start from 3rd July 2026 and will conclude on 28th August 2026. This time the yatra will last for a total of 57 days, which will be longer than last year. The first puja will be organized on 29 June 2026 before the start of the yatra. The journey will conclude on the day of Rakshabandhan with the holy stick reaching the Amarnath cave.
When did the registration for Amarnath Yatra start?
Registrations for Amarnath Yatra 2026 have started from 15 April 2026. It is necessary for every devotee to register. Without a valid yatra permit and RFID card, no devotee will be allowed to go on the yatra route. The registration fee has been fixed at Rs 150 per devotee.
How to register for Amarnath Yatra?
Devotees can register in two ways. For online registration, visit the official website of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board or SASB mobile app. Create your account and fill the application form. Upload Aadhar Card or other valid identity card, passport size photograph and Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC). Select the date of travel and your preferred route. Download the travel permit by paying a fee of Rs 150.
Whereas for offline registration, registration can also be done through authorized bank branches across the country. The banks designated for this are Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB), State Bank of India (SBI) and YES Bank. Registration will be done on first come, first serve basis and will be as per the daily quota. Booking for that date will be closed 7 days before the date of travel.
Who can do Amarnath Yatra?
Some important rules have been set for travel. The age of the devotee should be between 13 to 70 years. Women more than 6 weeks pregnant will not be allowed to travel. Health certificate is necessary for every devotee in Amarnath Yatra. Health certificate should have been issued on or after 8 April 2026. It should be issued by an authorized doctor or recognized medical institution. There should be a photo of the devotee in it. The travel permit will be issued only after examining the health certificate.
What is Travel Permit and RFID Card?
After completion of registration, the devotee will be given a travel permit. It will contain all the information like date of journey, route chosen, entry gate, reporting time. Along with this, every devotee will also get an RFID card. It will be necessary to wear this card around your neck at all times during the journey. Through this, the administration will be able to keep an eye on the location of the devotees and in case of any emergency, immediate help can be provided. RFID card will be available after biometric verification from designated centers in Jammu or Srinagar.
Which route to choose for Amarnath Yatra?
There are two ways to reach Amarnath cave. In which the first one is Pahalgam route. This is considered the traditional route. Its distance is about 46 to 48 kilometers. It takes 3 to 5 days to complete the journey and the climb is gradual. Also, it is a better option for first time travelers and those traveling with family. The first 16 kilometers distance from Pahalgam to Chandanwadi can be covered by mini bus. The other one is Baltal route. If time is short and you are physically fit, the Baltal route can be chosen. Its distance is about 14 kilometers. The journey can be completed in 1 to 2 days. The route is quite steep and is best for physically fit devotees.
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How to reach Amarnath Yatra?
Devotees can use all three routes – air, rail and road – to go on Amarnath Yatra. Srinagar International Airport is the nearest airport for those traveling by air. The distance of Baltal from here is about 62 kilometers and the distance of Pahalgam is about 90 kilometers. At the same time, devotees coming by train can reach Jammu Tawi, Udhampur or Banihal railway station. After this you will have to travel by road. If you start the journey from Jammu by road, then the distance to Pahalgam is about 315 kilometers and the distance to Baltal is about 400 kilometers. From here onwards devotees can proceed towards Amarnath cave as per their chosen travel route.
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