Amarnath Yatra - all you need to know

SHRI AMARNATH JI YATRA

The Annual Amarnath Ji Yatra is organized every year by the Shree Amarnath Shrine Board & Jammu & Kashmir Government.

Heli service 

The Yatra is organized every year in the Shravan Month (July and August); the dates of commencement of yatra may vary, based on Hindu calendar & upon weather conditions too. The Yatra is concluded on Purnima i.e. Raksha Bandhan, when Chadi Mubarak reaches the holy cave.

 History of Shri Amarnath Yatra:

Amarnath yatra has been going on for time immemorial, “While the earliest reference to Shri Amarnath can be found in the Nilamata Purana (v.16324), a 6^th century Sanskrit text which depicts the religious and cultural life of the inhabitants of Kashmir, the yatra to the holy cave has been described with full topographical details in the Bhringish Samhita and the Amarnath Mahatmya, both these texts have been composed even earlier than Nilamata Purana.”

Also there are references to the King Aryaraja (who reigned during 300 BCE), who used to worship ice Shiva Lingam in Kashmir. The actual name of Shrine is Amareshwar, later on which came to be known as Amarnath. The yatra has also found reference, Rajtarangini, a book written in 12^th century CE.

History of Chadi Mubarak Yatra: Mahant (Head Priest) of Dashnami Akahara, Srinagar after performing Hawan, leads the Chadi Mubarak Yatra for performing darshans at holy cave of Amarnath. Dashnami Akhara is right now headed by Mahant Deependra Giri. Hundreds of sages, yatris perform this 145 KM yatra, which starts from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, takes halts and performs hawans at Pampore, Bijbehara, Anantnag, Matan, Aishmukam and finally reaches Pahalgam, where the procession takes rest for 2 days before proceeding to Amarnath Holy Cave. Thousands of yatris join the holy procession which passes through Chandanwari, Sheshnaag, Panchatarni before reaching Amarnath Cave on Raksha Bandhan i.e. Poornima of Sawan month of Vikrami calendar, which falls during the month of July-August. After performing all the rituals the Chadi Mubarak then returns to Dashnami Akahara.

Amar Katha; Secret of life and eternity:

Once upon a time Maa Parvati asked Shiv Ji that why he adorns Mund Mala (Beads of heads) around his neck, Shiv Ji replied “Parvati you are not immortal”, so whenever you are born I add one head in my bead. Upon listening this Maa Parvati said, I die again and again, but you are immortal (Amar), what is the reason behind this. Shiv Ji said I am immortal because I know the secret Amar Katha.

After this Maa Parvati kept on insisting that she be narrated the Amar Katha, Shiv Ji kept postponing on one pretext or other, but finally he had to give in and left for a lonely place where no one except Maa Parvati could listen to the Amar Katha.  To be sure that no one will overhear him narrating the story to Maa Parvati he left his Nandi (the Bull) at Pahalgam (earier known as Bail Gaam, Bail meaning Ox). At Chandanwari he released the Moon from his jata’s (hair). He released the snake around his neck at the banks of Lake Sheshnag. He left his Son “Maha Ganesh” at Mahagunas Top (Mahaganesh Hill). At Panjtarni, Shivji left the five elements behind - Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky. Shiv Ji is also the Lord of all these elements that make up the entire universe.

To ensure that none of the living being should hear the Amar Katha, Shiv Ji with his power created a Gana named Kalagni and ordered him to burn all living things in the vicinity of the holy cave. After this Shiv Ji entered the holy cave along with Maa Parvati and took his Samadhi on Baghambar (Tiger skin) and started narrating Amar Katha. But underneath Baghambar (Tiger skin) there was a pigeon egg, which got saved for being under Baghambar. Maa Parvati fell asleep while listening to the story but the pigeons in the egg kept listening and humming like Maa Parvati, meanwhile the egg got hatched and those two pigeons became immortal. Many pilgrims even today report sightings of the pair of pigeon in the holy cave amid adverse weather.

In the holy cave three Ice Lingams are formed at same place every year, one that of Shiv Ji, one of Maa Parvati  (known as Parvati Ka Aanchal) & that of Ganesh.

As the story enlightens us that the vicinity of the holy cave was burnt, the nearby rocky mountains have no vegetation and also their colour is like that of a burnt surface till today.

Sonmarg Glacier

Plan a Yatra

To perform the annual pilgrimage, one needs to reach Jammu from where you can proceed to Baltal or Pahalgam base camps to perform the yatra. Both are separate routes.

 Jammu is very well connected by road / rail network and it also has a domestic airport, those who wish to travel by air can reach Srinagar by air also. Pilgrims will have to travel by road till Baltal / Pahalgam base camp to perform the yatra. It takes almost 10-12 hours to reach Pahalgam & little more to reach Baltal base camp by road from Jammu.

Pahalgam route:

Yatra through Pahalgam is traditional one, after reaching Pahalgam, all the documents viz. registration slip, your Identity cards will be checked by the security personals, after which you will be allowed to enter the base camp. If you reach Pahalgam in the morning, then you can proceed for yatra, else you will have to stay in the base camp for the day. Hotels as well as paid tented accommodations are available at the base camp. Many NGO’s and trusts have their langars at the base camp and en-route the yatra also, which provide free food to the yatris.

Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board has provided helicopter facilitiy from the base camp and Yatris who have booked their tickets will have to board the helicopter from Pahalgam only, those who wish to perform yatra on foot will have to board taxi till Chandanwari, which is almost 16 kms from Pahalgam, from their they can proceed for 32 Km trek to the holy cave. Pilgrims can also hire Pony’s and Palki’s, also you can hire Pithu’s (person who carry your luggage & kids) for the yatra. Once you hire Pony, Palki or Pithu, remember to retain their I-cards with you, which you will have to return them after you reach the Shri Amarnath Shrine.

The on foot yatra through Pahalgam route will take 4 days, this will depend upon fitness level of yatris and prevailing weather conditions, and those who will use chopper services can get back to base camp in a day only.

Baltal route: 

Yatra through Baltal is shorter one, approximately 14 KM’s, after reaching Baltal, all the documents viz. registration slip, your Identity cards will be checked by the security personals, after which you will be allowed to enter the base camp. If you reach Baltal in the morning, then you can proceed for yatra, else you will have to stay in the base camp for the day. Only paid tented accommodations are available at the base camp.

Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board has provided helicopter facilitiy from the base camp and Yatris who have booked their tickets will have to board the helicopter from Baltal only, others will have to proceed for 14 KM trek for holy cave, pilgrims can also hire Pony’s and Palki’s also you can hire Pithu’s (person who carry your luggage & kids) for the yatra. Once you hire Pony, Palki or Pithu, remember to retain their I-cards with you, which you will have to return them after you reach the Shri Amarnath Shrine.

Many NGO’s and trusts have their langars at the base camp and en-route the yatra also who provide free food to the yatris.

Baltal Route Guide:

Jammu - Pilgrims will leave for a day long trip to reach Srinagar (295 KM’s), en-route you will find famous tourist attractions namely Patnitop, Nathatop & Sanasar. Tourist can stop at Patnitop, enjoy lunch/snacks amid serene & scenic beauty of the mighty Himalayas

Srinagar: If your Yatra starts the next day of reaching Srinagar, take a brief pit stop near world famous Dal Lake, and proceed for Baltal, which is another two & half hour journey from Srinagar city. En-route you will find very scenic & beautiful place “Sonamarg”.

Baltal: After you reach Baltal Base camp, you will be frisked at couple of points, after that proceed to main camp area, afterwards hire a tent, ensure adequate quilts/blankets & lighting arrangement is provided by the tent owner. No need to worry about food, you will find langars all around. In case of any emergency contact Police Control Room, situated right in the heart of base camp. State government as well as some trusts provides medical facilities at the base camp.

Yatra: Wake up early, freshen up, and proceed for the yatra, carry minimum luggage (only essential items), don’t forget to carry raincoat and surgical masks, prefer sport shoes over leather shoes / sandal. In the 14 KM trek you will find many langars, makeshift shops so no need to carry food items, keep a water bottle, sunscreen lotion & dry fruit along. Elders can hire ponies, Palki’s, or Pithu’s to carry your luggage, keep with you the I-card of the person providing any of the mentioned services, return his I – Card upon reaching the holy cave only.

Darshans: Upon reaching the holy cave, you can take bath in the makeshift bathrooms, with hot water provided by tent owners. Afterwards you can purchase Prashad / Bhent and proceed for darshan. Darshans are allowed uptill 7:00 PM every day. Tented accommodations are available at Holy cave also.

Back to Baltal: Only fit and young can go for return journey the same day, provided they are free by 2 – 3 PM, otherwise hire a tent, ask for adequate quilts/blankets as temperature dips to Zero degree in the night. Pilgrims are served free food at the langars being run by various social groups, and by defense forces too. Start the return journey on the next morning. In case of any medical emergency immediately contact doctors which are available at entry gate of holy cave.

 Pilgrims taking the helicopter route to perform pilgrimage, will have to board helicopter from Baltal, which will drop them at Panchtarni, almost 5 KM’s from the holy cave, from there you can proceed either on foot, or can hire ponies or Palkies. If your return ticket is of the same date, then do hire ponies, so that you reach early, because as the day proceeds, it can take hours to perform darshans of Sh.Amarnath Ji.

Jammu : Pilgrims will leave for a day long journey to reach Pahalgam (280 KM’s), en-route you will find tourist attractions namely Patnitop, Nathatop & Sanasar. Tourist must stop at Patnitop, enjoy lunch/snacks amid serene & scenic beauty of the mighty Himalayas. Remember you have to turn right on reaching Khanabal, to reach Pahalgam. Map enclosed for your convenience.

Pahalgam Route Guide:

Pahalgam: After you reach Pahalgam Base camp, you will be frisked at entry point, after that proceed to main camp area, hire a tent, ensure adequate quilts/blankets & lighting arrangement is provided by the tent owner. No need to worry about food, you will find langars all around. In case of any emergency contact Police Control Room, situated right in the heart of base camp. State government provides medical facilities at the base camp.

                                                                                                             

Yatra: Wake up early, freshen up, and proceed towards Chandanwari, the first leg of yatra. Chandanwari is 16 KM from Pahalgam, get into a taxi to reach their, from there the actual trek of 32 KM for Amarnath cave starts. Carry minimum luggages, do carry surgical masks, raincoat & water bottle, and prefer good sport shoes over the sandals / leather shoes. Elders can hire ponies, Palki’s, or Pithu’s to carry your luggage, keep with you the I-card of the person providing any of the mentioned services, return his I – Card upon reaching the holy cave only. It takes approx. 2 days to reach the cave on foot, means you have to stay mid way twice.

              

After you start from Chandanwari, after covering 3 KM’s you will reach Pissu Top, relax here, and have tea & snacks. After reaching Sheshnaag pay obeisance at the lake. Tented accommodations are available at Sheshnag as well as Panchtarni, stay at one of these places. Get up early the next day, and start the onward journey, reaching early at the Shrine will save you from standing in long queues to perform darshans. After performing darshans, take some rest, have food, and then start your backward journey. Again you can stay at Panchtarni or Sheshnaag.

                                                           

Do’s Don’ts for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra

Do’s

·         Those who are planning to undertake yatra must attain high level of physical fitness. You are advised to start at least a month before brisk morning/evening walk of 5-6 KM’s, mixed with aerobic exercises. Also practice Yoga like Pranayam,e.g  Anulom Vilom to increase oxygen efficiency of your body.

·         Always trek in groups, oxygen depletes as you go higher in the mounts, so whenever you feel tired, sit back relax for a while and then start your onward journey.

·         Journey will involve trekking through high mountains, low temperature, strong winds, so you are advised to carry with you raincoats, woolen clothing, woolen caps, gloves, a torch, surgical masks (to avoid dust allergy), walking stick, jacket, waterproof trekking shoes.

·         Don’t carry much eatables, but keep with you a water bottle, dry fruit, toffees, chocolates, roasted chana’s , gurr (Jiggery), which are rich sources of instant energy.

·         Carry sunscreen lotion, Vaseline etc. to protect you from sunburns.

·         Carry spare cloths & eatables in a separate water proof bag.

·         Keep with you your Yatra permit, and follow the instructions mentioned there in

·         Always use toilets installed en-route the yatra track.

Don’ts

·         Never attempt any short cuts during the trek, it may prove fatal.

·         Don’t use sandals, prefer trekking shoes only.

·         Don’t spread litter, always use dustbins, help keeping the holy yatra track neat & clean

·         Don’t stop at narrow passages or at places having warning notices.

·         Never try to stretch your limits. In case of headaches/ dizziness visit any nearby medical camp

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