When I thought of visiting Amarnath Shrine, there came many questions as a traveler and wish to share same with you all too.
Why do people go for Amarnath Yatra?
What all I need to reach Amarnath Shrine?
How Do I get Registration done? Procedure? Can I choose date of yatra myself?
How do I reach there? Routes?
How long will it take to reach?
How many days does it takes for Yatra?
What all things will I have to carry along?
Things I have to do after reaching basecamp? Baltal/Pahalgham?
Which route is better? Baltal/Pahalgham?
Why do people go for Amarnath Yatra?
Amarnath Yatra is holy place specifically for Hindu devotees, sacred journey to a shrine of Lord Shiva situated in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Walk towards this yatra commences by foot, horse, or Palki from Baltal/Pahalgham base camp. Sacred journey towards shrine starts during Skandshasti and ends on Raksha Bandhan approx. for 45 days, the Sacred shrine is open for devotees to visit and worship their Hindu God Lord Shiva.
Story of Amarnath is very interesting, Amar means “immortal” and Nath means “Lord”. Once Lord Shiva was question by Goddess Parvati, reason behind wearing those skull Head around his neck. To which lord mentioned that those skulls are addition made with your each of your death, which again made Goddess Parvati curious to know then why does she kept dying and not he. Why is he immortal, repetitively Parvati kept asking to which lord Shiva one day decided to narrate her the whole story and wished to choose some silent place where no living creature is available. Before reaching to Amarnath Cave he left his Nandi at Pahalgham, moon at Chandanwari,
snake at Sheshnag, Son Ganesha at Mahaguna Parvat, At Panchtarni left all five elements, Water, Air, Fire, Sky & Earth. And fired everything around so no living creature is left behind to hear the story. But fortunately, a pair of Pigeon was listening to the story and became immortal while Parvati slept during the story telling and never became immortal like Shiva. To visitors surprise we will always find pair of Pigeon residing inside the cave in such an adverse climatic condition where for human it is very difficult to stand for long in freezing snow.
Amarnath Yatra is thus a sacred pilgrim to all the devotees as is also among the 18 Shaktipeeths. And lakhs of devotees travel every year during this 45days to worship their immortal Lord Shiva. Calling “ Bhooke ko Ann, Pyasey ko Paani” means feed the hungry and quench thirst of all who visit.
Well as a travel Vlogger and now also a blogger my idea behind covering this sacred journey was very important as part of my religious travel stories. And I have no words to this journey which I did from Baltal in the year 2019 and will be visiting again this year. Visiting Baba Barfani but this time with Viewers request and why to lie with my own lust from Pahalgham as Pahalgham is more beautiful journey in comparison to Baltal.
Before I start with my tale of Amarnath Journey, I wish to bring before you few important notes and answer the question which I mentioned above.
What all I need to reach Amarnath Shrine?
Registration is must…
1) Registration form
2) Medical clearance
3) Confirmation Card
Since Amarnath Yatra is limited to certain time period due to its adverse climatic condition and so also formation of Snow Lingam start melting by the time Rakhsha Bandhan Starts. As Jammu & Kashmir has always been very delicate area in the sense of security concerns so there are certain rules to be followed before visiting.
How Do I get Registration done? Procedure? Can I choose date of yatra myself?
http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com may refer to the website dedicated for Amarnath Yatra by Shrine Board. Where all the information is available.
Website consist of registration page which one needs to download and submit in respective areas of your own locality bank allotted for registration. There you will submit the form along with medical clearance from the registered hospital and mentioned the required date needed once your submission is approved by the shrine board. As there are certain requirements to fulfil before confirmation. May visit vlog which was dedicated specially for Registration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzuSQGbui_o&list=PLX1_gNSqPFqmDpZbuaXthGiO2MD95yCGB&index=7
and how I did my own registration for specific dates. Mind you may certainly not be able to get the choice of date as there are limited access per day from both the treks to maintain traffic due to mountain terrain.
Now after registration you need to carry your confirmation card along with you without fail as access won’t be allowed for yatra, in case you miss the copy and remember to carry hardcopy not soft copy.
How do I reach there? Routes? BALTAL/PAHALGAM
By Road : Own vehicle/Train/Bus till Jammu or Srinagar
By Air: Jammu Airport or Srinagar Airport
Since Routes are via Jammu-Srinagar – Baltal/Pahalgham – Shrine
JAMMU – PAHALGAM – HOLY CAVE
Jammu – Pahalgam – Chandanwari – Pissu Top – Sheshnag – Panchtarni – Holy Cave
JAMMU – BALTAL – HOLY CAVE
Jammu – Baltal – Domail – Barari – Holy Cave
I chose to travel in my own car.
My Itinerary: Answers to All the above questions
Day 01:Patna to Delhi Stay
Ofcourse in our EON Car enjoying Lucknow Agra express highway but believe me if you are travelling alone be careful. You may land up sleeping. So better avoid at one stretch and relax for a while. As at the speed of 80 to 100 k/h it will take approx.. 3+hrs and later again 2hrs fro Agra to Delhi.
Day 02:Stay in Delhi
We basically made a mistake by not taking our Duster adventure series as for long run it was better when we have so much to carry along. Anyways now what is done is done. S So incase you have bigger option better opt for that. But that doesn’t mean our EON was any less.
Day 03:Delhi to Jammu Stay
We started at 3.30am from Delhi and it took us approx..12 to 13hrs to reach Jammu and reached around 4pm. And then we visited Yatri Bhavan from where all the devotees will commence their journey in respective vehicles in guidance and cordoned by CRPF personals further under proper security. We were asked to reach by 12:30Pm to ensure the vehicle registration and where allotted numbers for recognition as Amarnath Yatris. Yatri Niwas has all the facilities required from Sim card, resting room, bathing, langars, and in case devotees have somehow reached and have not booked any bus or rent a car in prior can book their slots from there itself. One thing has to be remember date wise access is allotted so better not gather at basecamp if you are not going to trek next morning.
Day 04:
Jammu to Baltal and Stay
From Yatri Niwas at around 1:30 am all the vehicles got settled and registered their number and where ready for Yatra. Since my journey was on the very first day of Amarnath yatra July 1st 2019 Yatri Niwas has arranged special inaugural ceremony before we moved from Jammu. And with procession we began our journey at 5AM with all the securities along our side and we in queue maintained the sanctity and the seriousness, with Baba Barfani’s name we began our journey towards Baltal.
Here why I chose Baltal?
was due to vlogging as we decided to present the vlog of whole Yatra along with information on very first day so that Yatri’s travelling to Amarnath Yatra may find easy to manage their travel with proper information soon as possible.
Baltal trek is 14km trek and takes one day to reach and many also return on same day
Pahalgam trek is 42km trek and takes 3days to reach
We reached Baltal at 5;30 in the evening.
So took 12hrs 30minutes to reach Baltal base Camp. I was accompanied by my two other friends Divyabh and Aditi Nandan and all three of us were quite excited about the whole thing. Inspite of such a long journey energy was to be stores as that was not all. We had to book our tents, car park, entry, and search for food.
But truthfully nothing to worry much once you reach there, numbers of tents are available and quite cosy as climate is very chilling cold and it is said Baltal is the most coldest place in the region. And winters are quite shivering. We paid 150/- INR each for triple sharing tent from Locals. Locals residing around Baltal area settle down for 45 days in facilitating the requirements during Yatra period. So once we settled down and took a nice fresh hot bath felt like going around in search of food and know where about of the camp side. Believe me friend one needs to be free from all worries once you reach there. Each and every facility from socks to caps and stick and sweater, comforters etc. above all free langars means free food for all. I must say food served during this period is so tasty, rich pure and varieties one can never feel bored with. 24×7 food is served in Base camps.
After having a small tour around the campus we had our dinner and settled in bed at around 11:30 after taking all the backups as morning 4 we were about to commence our Yatra.
Day05: Baltal to Shrine
Morning at 4 we were ready with hot bath and started from our tent, purchased a stick and moved on 14km trek, well add 4 more km. as the base from where security access is almost 4kms so one can even take tent to that end in case don’t want to spend more time next morning. Yes but big Langars you will towards security access. Now I am again reminding you we have to be with our confirmation which has three sheets of which one will be kept by security once you access from respective gender queue, and two are kept with you. Why will let you know further. Now don’t lose it.
Journey almost began from basecamp and climb was exciting now before that one who wish to hire pony, palki may hire which may cost you from 3000 to 5000Indian Rupees. We preferred trekking obviously. Excitement was at its peak and so was the climb. Well to our pleasant surprise with each 100 steps one will find lemon juice and drinks to quench thirst. We need to remember one thing though climate is cold out there but while you are climbing you get dehydrated and drinking liquid is must to keep up the energy level. Also climate is very dramatic at times it may be quite sunny and may suddenly turn into rainy day never know.
Same happened with us first it was quite sunny day and suddenly cloud started forming, so carrying warm clothes and durable raincoats is must. Now that journey became bit harder with the change in climate as access was denied further unless conditions are favourable and all the helicopter also stopped. But even that time is also fun and experience where everyone settles down at one place gets stuck and helps each other providing place to sit, food service, sharing experience etc., But there are things which people take it for granted. Will mention in do’s & don’ts further.
May also refer to vlog from complete journey through visuals:
We reached Shrine around 4:30 Pm normally it takes around 7 to 8hrs for regular and healthy trekkers. And since we were vlogging so we took more time to reach. Fun began soon as we reach Kali Maa bridge from where we have to inclined downward towards Shrine which is approx..2kms. It was So fascinating site once we reached at the base of shrine. By the time I could reach the shrine we realized Shrine gates may get closed by 6 and we all started rushing towards shrine as we had planned to come back on same day. Evening was getting closer, rush towards shrine was too much, yes we all were hungry but aim was to first reach and take the blessings, Now cameras, phone were not allowed inside the shrine gate and so had to leave everything , I was slower compared to my friends and asked them to move ahead. Now I was quite delayed and later took another path from river side and reached there but was unable to find them both , since evening Aarti was going to start so I moved towards cave which was so huge and bare footed I entered the shrine, it was snow all around and hard to take steps as was sleeper too… but when you intentions are aimed towards receiving blessing every obstacle becomes blessing too. And during complete Aarti thought came to my mind watching that sacred cave how blessed this place is where devotees come in flocks and flocks to witness Lord Shiva and pair of Immortal Pigeons. God those pigeon were there dint move at all and where alive watching everyone visiting. Yes this is miracle because birds are found in groups and here we could see only two of them at left upside wall. Enjoying each other’s company. Is that story I narrated earlier true? Yes indeed I feel it is true. Sometimes one should listen to inner soul and not practical brain.
But I wished to add my experience where one polka guy helped me access faster towards shrine of course in rules but he knew how to reach fast and he also came along with me inside the shrine, he was Muslim obviously as all the service providers in Amarnath journey are Muslims accept for Langars and medical facilities. He also stood there until Aarti got over and that was truly impressive as he knew this was feeding his family and he respected other community’s devotion…Well exactly I don’t know why he did that but he also helped me get prasad in the crowd because crowd truly becomes crazy in the shrine they may even step on you unknowingly in the craze of being first to receive Aarti blessing or even prasadi.
Now the real adventure began, after a great day there was more to it, now after having blessed I came in search for my friends which I was not sure if they have already visited shrine or have been waiting for me at another gate. Everything went upside down after that, I also announced from counter right next to shrine but there was no reply for at least for 20minutes, Security suggested me to reach base and I came from regular path for in search of them but nothing. Was quite hungry also but was worried about them, I knew we will meet but when was big question. I rushed towards other end of camp and went to announcement counter again where I found my one partner Aditi Nandan who was waiting for me and Divyabh on the other hand went searching for me. And now I was worried where he must have gone. Because as per his nature unless he finds me he won’t be back. So, I kept announcing and I again went searching for him…meanwhile we met and were restless as all our stored energy was drowned in searching each other for at least 2hrs. So now we again rushed towards our tent, here we booked for 150/- Indian Rupees per head. And was quite comfortable. Night was twinkling with Star Gazing and we slept without dinner and directly woke up in the morning.
Day06: Shrine to Baltal
It snowed in the night but who bothered as after trek situation was stress full. So here I would suggest it is required to inform our group or partner that incase such thing happens better be prepared and inform about a place where one can meet if lost. Our situation was different and yes also that BSNL sim would be better option although no sims work near Amarnath Shrine.
morning Aditi Nandan went to Shrine again took blessing and we had nice breakfast which was truly yummy, like guys having curd at that altitude in the middle of Snowy mountain. I appreciate all the Langar providers for having our stomach full with delicious menu across the trek. Dosa, Idli, Utappa, Parathas, Paneer, Biryani, Pani Puri, Tea, Coffee, Juice, etc…
and again we were ready for our back journey.
Remember carry mask as horse movement may make the whole area quite dusty and difficult to breath at times. Although it is fun too. Comparatively return journey is always less time taking as aim is to reach as soon as possible and we returned in almost half the time we took while coming. We started at 12am and reached around 5pm. Of course had lot of fun in back journey too. Now at security gate you need to show your rest two cards and one is taken by them confirming your Yatra is completed.
Still 4kms to go, We took nice hot bath and then had some snacks and took all the backup, to our surprise all our batteries were quite durable in spite of cold weather. But sim cards were full. After having dinner , we also gathered information about the exit plan as one can’t leave the camp anytime, specific time was given to leave the campus and all have to leave together. So again we all gathered morning at 3pm and commenced our journey back to Jammu by 5:30….with all the security.
Day07: Baltal to Jammu
Many even travel to Ladakh from Baltal Highway.