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.
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| 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 6th 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 12th 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.
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| 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:
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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
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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”.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Pahalgam Route Guide:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Do’s Don’ts for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra
Do’s
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Carry sunscreen lotion, Vaseline etc. to protect
you from sunburns.
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Carry spare cloths & eatables in a separate
water proof bag.
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Keep with you your Yatra permit, and follow the
instructions mentioned there in
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Always use toilets installed en-route the yatra
track.
Don’ts
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Never attempt any short cuts during the trek, it
may prove fatal.
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Don’t use sandals, prefer trekking shoes only.
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Don’t spread litter, always use dustbins, help
keeping the holy yatra track neat & clean
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Don’t stop at narrow passages or at places
having warning notices.
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Never try to stretch your limits. In case of
headaches/ dizziness visit any nearby medical camp
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