JAMMU/SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages has invited applications from residents of Jammu and Kashmir for participation in the Somnath Swabhiman Yatra 2026, being organised under the directions of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The six-day pilgrimage is scheduled to commence from Jammu on June 29, 2026, and is being organised in this format for the first time. A total of 140 seats have been earmarked for pilgrims from the Union Territory.
According to the Academy, all Deputy Commissioners across Jammu and Kashmir have been requested to identify and recommend eligible participants from their respective districts. Applications will be accepted only through the offices of the concerned Deputy Commissioners, and applications submitted directly to the Academy will not be entertained.
The application form has been uploaded on the official website of the Department of Culture and is also available at Deputy Commissioners’ offices across the Union Territory. Applicants have been advised to obtain the form, complete the required formalities and submit it through the concerned Deputy Commissioner’s office for onward processing.
Selection of pilgrims will be made strictly on a first-come, first-served basis from among applications forwarded by Deputy Commissioners. Incomplete applications, applications lacking required documents or those received after all seats are filled will not be considered.
Applicants must submit their forms by June 25, 2026, along with a copy of Aadhaar card or any other valid government-issued photo identity card, a recent passport-size photograph, complete contact details and any other documents required by the forwarding authority.
The Academy has advised interested devotees to apply at the earliest, as the registration process will close automatically once all available seats are filled.
