Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of the Lidder Valley, Amarnath
Holy Cave stands at 3,888 mtrs. and is 363 kms. from Jammu Via Pahalgam
and about 414 kms. from Jammu Via Baltal. The detailed description of the
two routes to the Holy Cave is given below: How to Reach
One can reach the first part of journey through ; Air: The nearest
aerodrome is Srinagar. Srinagar is a beautiful valley having world famous sights to see,
such as Dal Lake, Nagina Lake, Shankaracharya Temple, Mughal Gardens and what not.
It is the most sought after tourist place. It is also known as "Paradise on earth".
Srinagar is summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir. There are daily flights to
Srinagar from Delhi and Jammu. On some week days flights also pickup
passengers from Chandigarh and Amritsar .
Jammu is the nearest Railway Station . Jammu is winter Capital
of Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu is a beautiful city and is also known
as "CITY OF TEMPLES". One may visit old temples such as Raghunath Temple ,
Mahadev Mandir and other temples . It is well connected with all
stations of India.The various trains coming to Jammu are
listed here below. Road :
Jammu and Srinagar are also connected through road. Buses
and Taxies are also available for this part of the journey .
These can be hired on daily as well as full tour basis.
How to Reach Amarnath Holy Cave :Though it is tough route still nearly
one and a half lac pilgrims visit every year . The number of pilgrims
is increasing every year. The journey from Jammu onward is
by road and there are two routes . The details are given here. |
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1) JAMMU – PAHALGAM – HOLY CAVE. (Traditional Route)
Jammu to Pahalgam (315 km) – The distance between
Jammu to Pahalgam can be covered by Taxi / Buses.
These are available at Tourist Reception Centre, J & K Govt.
, Raghunath Bazaar only early in the morning. But one can
also come to Srinagar by air and then move to Pahalgam by road
PAHALGAM – HOLY CAVE.
PLACE |
ALTITUDE |
DISTANCE | FROM |
MTRS | FEET |
CHANDANWARI | 2895 | 9500 | 16.0 KM | PAHALGAM |
PISSU TOP | 3377 | 11000 | 3.0 KM | CHANDANWARI |
SHESHNAG | 3352 | 11730 | 11.0 KM | PISSU TOP |
MAHAGUNAS | 4276 | 14000 | 4.6 KM | SHESH NAG |
PANCHTARNI | 3657 | 12000 | 9.4 KM | MAHAGUNUS TOP |
SANGAM | - | - | 3.0 KM | PANCHTARNI |
HOLY CAVE | 3952 | 13000 | 3.0 KM | SANGAM |
1. PAHALGAM :
It is 96 KM from Srinagar .This distance can be covered by car,
bus or taxi. Pahalgam is known all over the world for its beauty.
It is small town situated on the banks of Lidder River.
It is surrounded by high mountains. All essentials can be bought here.
Good Hotels are available for accommodation.
However the arrangements for stay and Langar are also
made by the Non Government Service Organisations.
2. CHANDANWARI:
The distance from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is 16km.
The route is good .It can be covered by road transport also.
Mini buses are also available from Pahalgam to reach Chandanwari.
The trail runs along the Lidder River . The route is scenic.
Food is available here. Pilgrims camp at Pahalgam or Chandanwari
on the first night .
3. PISSU TOP :
As the Yatra proceed further from Chandanwari
one climbs a height to reach Pissu Top. It is said that to
be first to reach for darshan of Bhole Nath Shivshankar
there was a war between Devtas and Rakshas .
With the power of Shiv , devtas could kill the rakshas
in such large number that the heap of their dead bodies
has resulted in this high mountain. 4. SHESHNAG:
This second day’s trek of 12 kms from Chandanwari is through Pissu Top and spectacular, primeval countryside, and reaches Sheshnag – a mountain which derives its name from its Seven Peaks, resembling the heads of the mythical snake. The Journey to Sheshnag follows steep inclines on the right bank of a cascading stream and wild scenery untouched by civilisation. The second night’s camp at Sheshnag overlooks the deep blue waters of Sheshnag lake, and glaciers beyond it. There are legends of love and revenge too associated with Sheshnag, and at the camp these are narrated by campfires . The stillness of a pine scented Himalayan night increases your inner joy. Yatris can take bath and get their fatigue alleviated. It is beautiful and scenic.
5.PANCHTARNI:
From Sheshnag one has to climb
steep height up across Mahagunas Pass at 4276 mtrs.(14000 ft) for
4.6 KM and then descending to the meadow lands of Panchtarni
at a height of 3657 mtrs (12000 ft). The last camp enroute to the
Holy Cave is made here on third day. Here one faces cold winds which cause the skin to crack . Hence cold cream / Vaseline arevery useful for protection of skin. Some Yatris are also effected by deficiency of oxygen .Some may get the feeling of vomiting . So dry fruit like Allu Bukhara ,sour and sweet eatables like Lemon are
useful to
control these symptoms . The route to Mahagunas is full of rivulets ,
water falls , springs .Panchtarni is a very beautiful place in the feet
of BHAIRAV MOUNT. Five Rivers flow here . It is said that the
five rivers origanated from Lord Shiva's Hairs (Jataon).
Pilgrims camp at Panchtarni on the 3rd night.
6. THE HOLY CAVE SHRI AMARNATH:
The Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath is only 6 kms from Panchtarni.
As there is no place to stay hence the pilgrims start in the
early hours of the morning after their stay at Panchtarni.
On the way to The Holy Cave one comes across the
Sangam of Amravati and Panchtarni. Some pilgrims
take bath at Amravati near holy cave to become pious
before going for Darshan. Near the cave is found white
soil known as Bhasam. It is the most beloved soil of Shiv ji .
The pilgrims apply this Holy soil to their body and then go
for Shivlingam Darshan. There are two smaller Shivlings
one of Maa Parvati and other of Shri Ganesh. It may be
noted that after having early Darshan of the Shivlinga at
Holy Cave one can return to Panchtarni well in time the same day .
Some pilgrims camp at Panchtarni while others continue their
journey and reach back Sheshnag by the same evening.
2) Jammu – Baltal – Holy cave (414km)
Jammu – Baltal (400km). –
The distance between Jammu and Baltal can be covered by Taxis / Buses available at Tourist Reception Centre, J & K / bus stand or one can come to Srinagar by air and then reach Baltal by road. The road route followed is :
JAMMU – Udhampur – Kud - Patnitop – Ramban – Banihal – KaziGund – Anantnag – Srinagar - Sonamarg – Baltal.
The journey from Jammu to Baltal which is about 400 kms.
is full of beautiful Sites and one can experience of being in Heaven ,
a Paradise on earth. Passing through beautiful valleys, steeped mountains,
one is sure of forgetting , oneself as a person ,for a while . A thrill,
which is obviously there in every pilgrim gets enhanced while
passing through this way owing to the Darshan of Holy Cave.
In nutshell, a journey which can go down to your memory throughout the lifetime.
Baltal to Holy Cave
From Baltal Holy Cave is just 14 Kms.
This distance can be covered by foot / Ponies. However, Dandies are also available for handicapped and old aged pilgrims.The width of the pebbled (kuchha) road is
a bit narrow as compared to the
Chandanwari-Holy Cave route, moreover
, there are some steep rises & falls on the way ,
as compared to the Chandanwari route,
but pilgrims can return back to base camp
Baltal through this route only in one day. |
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