Amarnath Yatra Route Map And What To Carry With us...

Amarnath Temple is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft),about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, reached through Pahalgam town. The shrine represents an important part of Hinduism. The cave, located in Lidder Valley, is surrounded by glaciers, snowy mountains and is covered with snow most of the year, except for a short period of time in summer when it is open to pilgrims. In 1989, pilgrims numbered between 12,000 and 30,000. In 2011, the numbers reached a peak, crossing 6.3 lakh (630,000) pilgrims. In 2018 pilgrims numbered 2.85 lakh (285,000). The annual pilgrimage has varied between 20 and 60 days.

The pilgrimage, Amarnath Yatra, occurs when the iced stalagmite Shiva lingam reaches the apex of its waxing phase through the summer months.The period of July–August is a popular time for the pilgrimage. The beginning of the annual pilgrimage is marked by pratham pujan (transl. first prayer).It begins with a 43 kilometres (27 mi) mountainous trek from the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps at Pahalgam and reaches cave-shrine after night halts at Sheshnag Lake and Panchtarni camps. The yatra is a way of earning revenue for the state government by imposing tax on pilgrims.Local Muslim Bakarwal-Gujjars also make a living by offering services to the Hindu pilgrims. This source of income has been threatened by the Kashmiri militant groups who have harassed and attacked the yatra numerous times.

In 1995 the pilgrimage lasted for 20 days. Between 2004 and 2009 the duration stretched to 60 days. The following years saw the pilgrimage last between 40 and 60 days. In 2019, the Yatra would commence on 1 July and end on 15 August.Pilgrims visit the holy site during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani Mela in July–August, coinciding with the Hindu holy month of Shraavana. In May 2022, the state government initiated the construction of a pilgrimage centre (3000 people capacity) for yatris in Srinagar to facilitate their stay when travelling for the holy pilgrimage.The annual pilgrimage was cancelled in the year 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

🧣What to take with Amarnath Yatra

👉Do not carry a lot of luggage in the journey, only carry the necessary things. Keep blanket, umbrella, rail coat, waterproof boot, stick, torch, sleeping bag etc. Keep dry fruits, toast, biscuits and a bottle of water in the food items. Stay with your own laden horses/mulles and porters.