The 12-day long annual Shri Buddha Amarnath Yatra 2026 to the ancient Baba Budha Amarnath Temple in Rajpura village of Mandi Tehsil in Poonch district is scheduled to begin tomorrow and will continue until August 28, 2026, culminating around Raksha Bandhan.

The first batch of the pilgrims will depart from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu toward the border district of Poonch tomorrow. Authorities have enforced strict multi-tier security and surveillance across Poonch, Rajouri, and transit routes. The convoys of the devotees will move under police escort, with additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed. District administration and local bodies have finalised arrangements, including water proof tents, community kitchen (Langar) locations, parking layouts, and health care stations along the pilgrimage route.

The Poonch district administration launched a dedicated portal to facilitate advance registration for pilgrims coming from across the country. The Budha Amarnath Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage held during the auspicious monsoon month of Shravan (July-August) to the ancient Baba Budha Amarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Rajpura village in Mandi Tehsil of Poonch district. The shrine sits 4 thousand 600 feet above sea level and features a self-manifested white stone Shivling.

The journey traditionally commences from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu, taking pilgrims about 230 km northwest into the mountainous terrain of Poonch. Devotees traditionally bathe in the nearby holy Pulastya River (named after Rishi Pulastya) before entering the temple for prayers. Many believe completing this yatra adds profound completeness to a devotee’s broader pilgrimage path to the higher-altitude Amarnath Cave shrine.