Amarnath Yatra route and how many days it will take for Amarnath Yatra:
Jammu is the nearest Railway station at a distance of 360 km from Amarnath Cave (altitude 3888 mt.).The Amarnath yatra via Pahalgam route is usually preferred as the route is more wider and gradually slopes down than that of the Baltal route. The trek takes 3 days in one way. Buses and Cabs are available from Jammu to reach either Pahalgam or Baltal.
(Jammu➤315km-Pahalgam➤16km –Chandanwari➤12km- Seshnag➤11 km- Panchtarani ➤ 6 km- Holy Cave). Whereas from Jammu to Amarnath via. Baltal distance is 414 km. The trek takes 1-2 days.
The travellers can go from Jammu by Bus or take a flight from Delhi to Srinagar. For our situation, we halted at Srinagar for one day and following day set out toward Pahalgam around 9:30 a.m. On our way to Pahalgam, we took a stop at Amaravati Ruins and reached Pahalgam around 2.30 p.m. We stopped at the Pahalgam check post and shown our laminated Pass. Our arrangement was to stay there for the night and begin right on time the next morning. On the off chance that intrigued, you can visit Betab and Aru Valley.
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| Betab Valley |
Take a taxi from the taxi stand so that you don’t need to bargain. The visit was lovely. The travellers can enjoy the Paragliding here. In any case, we went to bed early.
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| Aru Valley |
Around 3 a.m. we began
towards Chandanwari check post by a share taxi. You should begin ahead of
schedule to reach early else you need to take more stoppage to finish the adventure
of 47 km. It is proposed conveying less weight if you are planning to walk the
way. Keep a raincoat, an extra pair of shoes, medicines, gloves, socks, and woollen
garment and so on.
Reaching Chandanwari Checkpost:
Chandanwari check-post gate opens around 6 a.m. The excellent spot is on the banks of the Lidder river. The tourists can have light food here. Numerous Langars are found. Tea, Biscuits, Lassi, Sweets, Pizza, Chocolate etcetera are available.
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| Chandanwari Check-post |
We found that the numerous devotees from UP, Punjab, Delhi are serving the adventurers through such Langars. Washing facilities are likewise accessible. You can get necessary Shocks, Caps, Blanket, Shoes, Torchlight, Umbrella et cetera from some Langars here.
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| Delhi-Langar |
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| Hossiarpur-Langar |
From Chandanwari, we reached Pissu top. It took 2 hrs 45 minutes. It was the steepest reach and hardest walk. We were tired so took rest before beginning the longest part of our trip, and had some refreshment there. Here one can find numerous Caves which are wrapped with snow. At Pissu top Indian Army, Disaster Management workforce was found. Bio-toilets facilities are available. The travellers can enjoy the fascinating views of the natural scenic beauty of the Himalayas from Pissu top.
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| Pissu Top |
A Sea of Horses:
A sea of Horses, Ponies were waiting until their owners bring Sowari (passengers) for a ride. If you prefer you can hire pony / Horse but go for a good bargain, they may ask even 5000/- for the one way trip to Seshnag. All through the walk, there are a lot of Sadhus, Pilgrims who were our companions.
After reaching Seshnag:
All the way, the Indian Army guided us. Around 8’o clock, we reached Seshnag. We halted overnight at Seshnag in a rented Tent (Camp).
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| Seshnag |
Here the hot water was available. The rent may vary from 300/- per head (on sharing basis). The tent will be shared by 10 to 12 people for Rs.3000/- for one Tent (negotiable). All through the outing, the surroundings were covered with snow and snow. We were hungry, so we stuffed ourselves supper with Chapathi, ghee with Razma sabji including sweets. The food was delicious and it added to our joy when we were served with sweets at the end. Thanks to the Bhandaras, as they are serving foods free of charge for the pilgrims. We have seen that the mountains are guarded by the Army workforce. From Seshnag, we started around 5 a.m. to Panchtarani. We employed two horses. The Horse owner charged us Rs.2500/- for the package after negotiation. We were moving mindfully through the snowy patch of the road least we slip or fall down. We crossed Mahagunush top (4276 m.) and descended to Panchtarni (3657m.).
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| Panchtarni |
The Helicopter facility is available from Chandanwari to Panchtarni. Baltal to Panchtarni helicopter fare was Rs.1734/- and from Chandanwari the fare is Rs.2200/2300. A sickly patient gets the first preference. The time taken from Seshnag (5 a.m.) to Panchtarni (9.30 a.m.) was four and a half hours. If you opt for, you can stay there in a tent. From Panchtarni (five waterways) we walked up to the Holy cave and reached there around 1.30 p.m. The distance is approx. 6 km. We kept our baggage at the shop controlled by the Amarnath Shrine Board and continued with barefooted and climbed the 300 Stairs. (no camera or mobile is allowed past this point and take a receipt of your baggage deposit). In transit, we came across a crowded place,
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| Dancing |
scenes like people dancing to the tune of devotional songs, which made us very enjoyable.
The Holy Amarnath Cave:
All along while moving toward the cave, the droning of hymns ‘Namoh Shiva’ ‘Joy Bhole Sankar’ & Bhajans from the diverse religions reverberated the area. At this point, one can realize our unity in diversity. And frequent changes of weather due to incessant rain, chilled wave, snowfall etc. gave us an impetus to move further.
There we found two different lingams: Maa Durga and Shree Ganesha apart from Amarnath Ji. There is an Amarnath Jharna which streams from above the cave. We reached the cave (inside height is 130 ft.) around 1 p.m. and had the darshan of Ice Lingam.
How Shivling is formed in Amarnath :
One of the Sadhus told that the water from Ramkund Lake falls drop by drop and make the Icy holy Shiva Lingam and it gets its maximum height about 8 ft.) on full moon night (Purnima) during July and August.
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Amarnath Shivling
Image: Google Image / hi.wikipedia.org
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The sight is really eye-catching and makes the viewers speechless. You can buy Prasad from any shop on your way yet we recommend getting it from the Amarnath Shrine Board.
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| Smiling Sun |
While returning back, the smiling Sun started to dry up the slippery
road and made simple to walk.
Return via Baltal:
From Amarnath Cave, we have chosen the route via Baltal. You can also avail horses on the Pahalgam Route. It was about 6 hrs. Journey down to Baltal and the street is excessively steep. However, we rushed to a nearby Bhandara, finished our lunch and headed for our return.
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| Return via Baltal |
The natural scenic beauty grabbed us. At Baltal the explorers can have refreshment there. Adequate Street light up to Baltal was found. Numerous Camps we have seen at a cost of one night stay for Rs.100/200/300 and so on depending upon the facility provided. Numerous Langars are in like manner found at Baltal with live music and sumptuous vegetarian food. In any case, we had the arrangement to stay at Sonmarg, so hired a Taxi at around 8 p.m. and spent the night at Sonmarg. Next morning we set out on our outing towards Srinagar. While returning we passed by the Jhelum and the Leader.
Srinagar:
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| Park at Srinagar |
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| Gulmarg |
We stayed at Srinagar on that night. And the following day morning we went to see the Shankaracharya Temple. The auto fare was Rs.250/-. We kept our Shoes, Leather accessories like Purse; Belt et cetera there before entering. The Stairsteps are 160 numbers there. We saw four greenery enclosures: Charchinar Lake, Gulmarg (Whole day trip). Other tourist spots are Dal Lake, Nagina Lake, Mughal Garden and so on. There is also a Ropeway (Gandola) though we didn’t take a ride due to time imperative. Finally, we backed to Srinagar Airport before 4 hrs. of departure.
Travel Tips For Amarnath Yatra:
You can take either choice to reach the Holy Cave:
01. Start your trip from and back to Pahalgam (by walk / Horse)
02. Start from Baltal and come back to Baltal (which is a shorter route yet somewhat troublesome).
03. Start from Pahalgam and get back to Baltal (it is somewhat easier)
04. Also, the travellers can avail helicopter to reach Panchtarni from Baltal or Pahalgam.
Do’s and don’ts!
01. Keep Travel Light like heavy duty torchlight.
02. Carry your daily dose of the medicine, assuming any.
03. Don’t overlook your raincoat / extra pair of shoes and socks.
04. Don’t keep a lot of cash. All Food is free from Chandanwari to Baltal except water, which you may need to purchase in Baltal Route.
05. If you hire a pony/ horse/ porter take their license with you and return them after you finish your journey positively, which will ensure a return of your goods and if your necessities are lost, they will trace the same for you.
06. If you require more detail please log on: (www.shriamarnathjishrine.com). The registration begins around 1st March every year.
07. Have faith in Sri Amarnath Ji, Indian Army and yourself. You will appreciate and succeed the Amarnath Yatra.
Postamble:
The unforgettable journey - Amarnath Yatra could be a challenging venture. In any case, the facilities accessible make less demanding for travellers. However, the spiritual perspectives and the challenges give impetus to achieve witness of the amazing sights. Perhaps this is an inclination and not inactively pictured in words.
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Some Pics on Amarnath Yatra
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Way to Pissu Top
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| Near Pissu Top |
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| Reaching Nagakoti |
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| Betab Valley from Pahalgam |
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Sonmarg
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Avantipur Ruins
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