Amarnath Yatra Registrations Surge 23% Despite Past Fears

Registrations for the Amarnath Yatra have surged by 23.7% this year, a welcome increase after a decline impacted by a terror attack last year. As of April 20, 2026, Ludhiana's civil hospital recorded 2,385 pilgrims completing their mandatory medical examinations, a substantial rise from the 1,928 registrations during the same period in 2025. The daily registration numbers also show a significant uptick, with even the lowest daily figures this year surpassing last year's corresponding numbers.

Health officials at the civil hospital have put in place comprehensive arrangements to manage the influx. Dedicated teams, including specialists and support staff, are deployed at a newly established one-stop center. Pilgrims follow a streamlined process involving token issuance, registration, ECG screening, and medical examination. This improved facilitation, along with accessible amenities like seating and clean drinking water, has been noted by pilgrims as a significant enhancement over previous years. Religious leaders attribute the rise in enthusiasm to devotees' eagerness to complete the pilgrimage and growing interest among younger demographics, partly fueled by social media.