Token distribution for the annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on Tuesday at the Tawi River Front in Jammu ahead of the on-the-spot registration process, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
The district administration has set up 10 token distribution counters at the venue, issuing a total of 1,600 tokens on the first day. Of these, 800 have been allocated for pilgrims taking the traditional Pahalgam route and 800 for those opting for the Baltal route.
Officials said pilgrims receiving tokens on Tuesday will be able to complete their registration from Wednesday before proceeding on the pilgrimage.
Security has been heightened at the Tawi River Front to ensure the smooth and safe distribution of tokens. Personnel have been deployed across the venue, while authorities are closely monitoring the process to provide a secure environment for pilgrims.
For the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2026, the Jammu district administration has established 18 on-the-spot registration and token counters. Besides the 10 counters at the Tawi River Front, additional facilities have been set up at Geeta Bhawan, Ram Mandir (Purani Mandi), Bhagwati Nagar and the Railway Station.
According to officials, token generation begins transparently at 6 a.m. Every pilgrim, including accompanying family members, must stand in the queue individually, with one token issued per eligible person. Token holders are required to complete e-KYC verification and RFID registration the day after receiving their tokens.
The Amarnath Yatra will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of about 3,880 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas of Anantnag district, can be accessed through the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route. Pilgrims travelling via Pahalgam typically take four days to reach the shrine, while those using the Baltal route generally complete the pilgrimage and return to the base camp on the same day.
The shrine is revered for its naturally formed ice stalagmite, which devotees believe symbolises Lord Shiva and is said to wax and wane with the phases of the moon.
Authorities have also reiterated that the pilgrimage route beyond the two base camps has been declared a no-fly zone. Consequently, helicopter services will not be available for devotees during this year’s Yatra.
(With IANS inputs)
