Amarnath yatra suspended due to rains; unlikely to resume this year

Due to recent rains and forecasts of further precipitation, the 57-day annual Amarnath yatra has been suspended on both routes, starting Sunday. Officials announced that the pilgrimage, which would normally conclude on August 28, is unlikely to resume this year. The yatra began on July 3 and was set to end on August 28. It has been halted on both the Chandanwari track in Anantnag district and the Baltal track in Ganderbal district.

Divisional Commissioner for Kashmir, Anshul Gard, explained that the repair and maintenance of the yatra tracks at vulnerable stretches is being conducted by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) due to the ongoing rains. Additionally, adverse weather conditions predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the coming days also contributed to the suspension.

The "Chadi Mubarak" ceremony, typically held via the traditional Pahalgam route, will mark the end of the 2026 yatra on August 28, as stated by Garg. The Amarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of a naturally formed ice structure, is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site located at a height of 3,888 meters in a cave. The yatra is organized annually due to the ice formation, which is often obstructed by snow.

This year, the ice stalagmite melted early, and subsequent adverse weather forced the halting of the pilgrimage twice. Despite multiple road accidents, no fatalities were reported.