Shri Amarnath Yatra -“A heaven for pilgrims.”
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Shri Amarnath Yatra is in Jammu and Kashmir‘s union territory and is popular with Lord Shiva worshipers. The Amarnath Cave has enshrined Shivaling, which naturally formed with ice. So the Shivaling resembles Lord Shiva. The area is visited by numerous people from all over the country through a challenging mountain trek named “Shri Amarnath Yatra.” This is the cave where Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of life and infinity to Goddess Parvati.
The Amarnath place is accessible only in the Shravan months of July-August, and the routes are available for Shri Amarnath Yatra via Pahalgam or Baltal. The Pahalgam route is longer but preferred by most devotees. In contrast, the Baltal route is shorter and has a steeper trekking route. It only takes 4-5 days to reach Amarnath from the base point. Helicopter services are also available via these routes, and devotees must book to Amarnath. When you visit the place, you have a wonderful and real-time experience of Shri Amarnath Yatra.
How to reach a heaven place
The closest Airport is situated in Srinagar to reach Amarnath. Anyway, the journey starts from Pahalgam to Amarnath, which is 2 hours from Airport. Jammu Tawi Railway Station is situated near the place, and the rest journey is covered on foot, by helicopter, and or by pony rides.
Legend of Amarnath
What made Amarnath more famous? Do you know anything about it, if not, so I’ll tell you about the factuality of the place. It is to be believed that numerous historical and mythological stories are attached to the site. The location is the most popular pilgrimage trip. The most famous story that perhaps the Amarnath Cave. Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife, once questioned him about the necklace of beads he used to wear. So she asked what they stood for. Later, Shiva told her each bead stood for a skull that he added to the necklace every time Parvati was reborn.
Shiva found a secret cave to relay this story, Amarnath Cave, to ensure the whole story’s secrecy. He also created Rudra, which makes fire around the cave so no human can listen to this tale. It so happened, but the pigeon egg was left there and hatched into pair of pigeons. So, the pigeons become immortal after listening to the whole ‘Amar Katha.’ Some of the pilgrims claimed to have seen those pigeons.
The Linga
The linga is 40 m high and is formed due to the freezing water from the cave’s roof. Also, it grows vertically from the floor to the rooftop. The Linga grows and shrinks according to different moon phases to its height during the summer festival.
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Amarnath Cave
It is situated in Jammu & Kashmir; the cave is the Hindu Shrine and is visited by numerous people throughout the year. It is placed at an altitude of 3,888 m. The shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is about 5000 years old and is prominent in Hindu mythology. There is two other ice formation that represents Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesh. The area is visited by numerous people from all over the country through a challenging mountain trek named “Amarnath Yatra.” It is believed that here Lord Shiva explained his consort to Goddess Parvati about the secrets of life and eternity.
Shri Amarnath Yatra
The place is the most popular route that attracts numerous devotees every year. According to the Hindu calendar, the most visited and accessible time to visit Amarnath is during Shravani Mela in July-August. It is the only time you can access the Amarnath Yatra in a year. The cave is located at a height of 3,888 m, and the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra is remarked by Pratham Pujan, which invokes Baba Amarnath’s blessings. The cave is covered by snow throughout the year except in summer when it is open for pilgrims. As per religious belief, the Lingam grows and shrinks when the moon reaches its height during the summer festival. The main purpose of the annual pilgrimage to the cave is the worship of the ice stalagmite Lingam.
Baltal
Local people said that Lord Shiva seeks shelter in Amarnath, and his devotees seek shelter in Baltal. It is a shorter trekking route to reach Amarnath and is located 14 km away from Amarnath.
Pahalgam
The place is well known as the “Valley of the Shepherds,” located in the Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir valley. It is the most popular hill station that offers a picturesque view of the whole valley. Also, it served as a major pilgrimage in India for Shri Amarnath Yatra. Pahalgam provides numerous outdoor activities, among which trekking is most famous among tourists. Sheshnag Lake, situated near Pahalgam, is another bliss altogether. When you visit Pahalgam, you must buy authentic Kashmiri saffron from Pampore.
Best Time To Go Amarnath Yatra
Tourists can visit the place between May to September as it is the most suitable time to visit Amarnath. It is a good time to enjoy the greenery around the Amarnath place. You could not visit the site in winter as heavy rainfall covered the whole area. The location is said to be heaven for the worshippers of Lord Shiva. To learn more about the place, you must visit it and enjoy its trekking activity.
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Valley of Shepherds
Pahalgam is well known as the “Valley of the Shepherds,” located in the Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir valley. It is the most popular hill station that offers a picturesque view of the whole valley. Also, it served as a major pilgrimage in India for Amarnath Yatra. Pahalgam provides numerous outdoor activities, among which trekking is most famous among tourists. Sheshnag Lake, situated near Pahalgam, is another bliss altogether. When you visit Pahalgam, you must buy authentic Kashmiri saffron from Pampore.
Amarnath Yatra
The place is the most popular route that attracts numerous devotees every year. According to the Hindu calendar, the most visited and accessible time to visit Amarnath is during Shravani Mela in July-August. It is the only time you can access the Shri Amarnath Yatra in a year. The cave is located at a height of 3,888 m, and the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra is remarked by Pratham Pujan, which invokes Baba Amarnath’s blessings. The cave is covered by snow throughout the year except in summer when it is open for pilgrims.
Amarnath
Amarnath is in Jammu and Kashmir’s union territory and is popular with Lord Shiva worshipers. The Amarnath Cave has enshrined Shivaling, which naturally formed with ice. So the Shivaling resembles Lord Shiva. The area is visited by numerous people from all over the country through a challenging mountain trek named “Shri Amarnath Yatra.” This is where Lord Shiva taught Goddess Parvati about life and eternity. Helicopter services are also available via these routes, and devotees have to advance booking to Amarnath. When you visit the place, you have a wonderful and real-time experience of Shri Amarnath Yatra.
How to reach Amarnath?
There are two main routes to reach Amarnath:
Pahalgam route: This route is 45 kilometres long and starts from Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir. The trek from Pahalgam to Amarnath is relatively easy and takes around 3-4 days.
Baltal route: This route is 16 kilometres long and starts from Baltal, a small town in Kashmir. The trek from Baltal to Amarnath is more challenging and takes around 2-3 days.
How many kilometres is Amarnath Yatra?
The total distance of Amarnath Yatra is 45 kilometres (Pahalgam route) or 16 kilometres (Baltal route).
Where is Amarnath Yatra?
Amarnath Yatra usually starts in the month of June and ends in the month of August. The exact dates of the yatra are announced by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB).
How to reach Amarnath by helicopter?
Helicopters take off from Srinagar and land at the helipad near the Amarnath cave. The helicopter ride is expensive, but it is the fastest way to reach Amarnath.
Where is Amarnath and Kedarnath?
Amarnath is located in the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, while Kedarnath is located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Both Amarnath and Kedarnath are popular Hindu pilgrimage destinations.
Here is some additional information about Amarnath Yatra:
Registration: It is mandatory to register for Amarnath Yatra. Registration can be done online or at designated bank branches.
Medical fitness: Pilgrims must be medically fit to undertake the Amarnath Yatra. A medical certificate is required to register for the yatra.
Accommodation: There are several camps and lodges along the route of Amarnath Yatra. Pilgrims can also stay in tents.
Food: There are several dhabas and restaurants along the route of Amarnath Yatra. Pilgrims can also carry their own food.
Security: The Amarnath Yatra is a high-security event. The Indian Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) provide security to the pilgrims.
