Amarnath Yatra in Jammu & Kashmir

Amarnath yatra is one of the touring festivals of Hindu religion. The Amarnath Yatra is organised every year by the Jammu &Kashmir Govt. during the month of sharavan ( July and August); the dates however, vary every year looking at the weather conditions and according to Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) inthe month of Sharavan (Vikrama Samwat).

Amarnath Yatra is being celebrated in the name of Baba Amarnath Holy Cave for which one has to trek a height of about 14,500 ft is full of thrill and joy. The feeling of divine which is always beneath ones' heart, burst out and one realises ‘Moksha’ as one attends the Cave and perform the prayer before the Shivlinga. The place is surrounded by beautiful valleys, mountains, one will always feel His presence on the paradise of the earth, the memory of which hardly vanishes with time. A journey which will rediscover the nature and its love which is always inside but one has never felt.

CLIMATE
The climatic conditions of this place are very uncertain. Rain or snowfall may take place at any time or place during the Yatra. It is to be particularly noted that abrupt changes in temperature might occur.

How to Perform Pilgrimage
For performing this Yatra, one is required to get registered. The registration is done by J &K Govt. Tourist Offices, located at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jammu and Srinagar.

Applications for registration in the prescribed format which is reproduced here. You can get the print out of this form and this can be used for registration.The filled in form should be sent to the registration office nearest to you , along with two passport size photographs duly affixed at the indicated places, a self addressed pre stamped envelope (for speed post) and a medical fitness certificate from an MBBS doctor . Each yatri has to submit a seperate application for registration. Every yatri will be issued a registration-cum-identity slip by the registration authority. Yatris are advised to carry this identity slip during the Yatra period to ensure a smooth passage .

Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath is The Cave which was chosen by Bhole Shankar for narrating the secrets of immortality and creation of Universe to Maa Parvati ji . The story goes like this. Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shiv ji to let her know why and when He started wearing the beads of heads ( Mund Mala) . Bhole Shankar replied when ever you are born I add one more head in my beads. Maa Parvati said ," My Lord, my body is destroyed every time and I die again and again, but you are Immortal. Please let me know the secret of this." Bhole Shankar replied that it is due to Amar Katha ." The Amarnath Yatra is organised every year by the J &K Govt. during the month of sharavan ( July and August); the dates however , vary every year looking at the weather conditions and according to Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) in the month of Sharavan (Vikrama Samwat).


Every year, in the month of July and August, an image of Lord Shiva, in the form of a lingam, is formed naturally as an ice stalagmite which waxes and wanes with the Moon's cycle. First a solid base is formed and then the lingam begins to rise on it. On Purnima it slowly acquires full form. According to the legends it is on that day, that Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of life to Parvati, the beautiful daughter of the Himalayas. By the side of the lingam, are two more ice stalagmites, representing Parvati and their son, Ganesha.


How to Reach-


By Train-The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu, which is 300 kms away, and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.


By Air-The nearest airport is in Srinagar. Daily flights operate to and from Delhi and Jammu.


By Road-Jammu and Srinagar are well linked by road. Regular buses and taxis are available and can be hired on a daily as well as full-tour basis from the Tourist Reception Center, J&K Govt.


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