Amarnath Temple Yatra, History, Story, Trip cost, Information
The Amarnath Cave Temple is one of the major pilgrimage sites in India. It is located northeast of Srinagar, the capital of the Union Territory
Amarnath Temple
The Amarnath Cave Temple is one of the major pilgrimage sites in India. It is located northeast of Srinagar, the capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This cave is located 135 km north east of Srinagar, at an altitude of 13,600 feet above sea level. The length of this cave is 19 meters and width is 16 meters and the height of the cave is 11 meters. Amarnath Cave Temple is one of the famous religious places of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave is called the pilgrimage of pilgrimages because Lord Shiva told the secret of immortality to Mother Parvati in this cave. The main feature here is that in this holy cave Shivling is formed naturally from ice. For this reason this Shivling is also called Swayambhu Himani Shivling.
Lakhs of people come here from Ashadh Purnima to the end of Sawan month to have darshan of the sacred Himlinga. The circumference of Amarnath cave is about 150 feet and drops of ice water keep dripping from above at various places. This dripping snow drop forms a Shivling about 10 feet tall. Along with the decreasing of the moon, the size of this hum linga also keeps on decreasing. It reaches its full size on Sawan Purnima and gradually gets smaller till Amavasya. Ganesh, Bhairav and Parvati have different icebergs several meters away from the Amarnath Shivling.
Amarnath Cave Temple History and Legends
There is a historical belief about Amarnath cave that the Aryan kings of Jammu and Kashmir used to worship the Shivalinga of Lord Shankar, which was made of ice. The journey into the cave of Amarnath temple was started by Praja Bhatt, which holds a very special significance for the devotees visiting Amarnath. We find mention of Shivalinga of Amarnath cave in the book named Rajtarangini. Some other stories are also popular regarding the beginning of Amarnath Cave Yatra, according to which Amarnath Shivling was discovered by a Muslim shepherd. After which people came to know about it and started the Amarnath Yatra.
There is a popular story about the Amarnath cave that in this cave Lord Shiva narrated the immortal story to Mother Parvati. Due to which this cave was named Amarnath Cave. Hearing this story, a pair of pigeons and Sadyojat Shuk-Shishu became immortal as Sukdev Rishi. A pair of pigeons are still visible to the devotees in the cave, which the devotees consider to be immortal birds. It is also said that Lord Shiva narrated a story to Mother Parvati in this cave describing the journey to the Amarnath cave and the many places that came in its way. This story later became famous as Amarkatha.
When Lord Shiv was taking Parvati to listen to the immortal story, he released infinite snakes at a place called Anantnag, sandalwood from the forehead at Chandanwadi and Sheshnag at a place called Sheshnag. All these places are still included in the Amarnath Yatra.
Amarnath Temple Opening and Closing Months
The Amarnath cave temple is opened only for two months in a year. This temple remains open from July to August, during which lakhs of devotees and pilgrims of Lord Shiva come here to visit the Himalinga. This spiritual journey to Amarnath Cave Temple is organized by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board. For the last two years, the pilgrimage here was canceled by the Amarnath Shrine Board due to the Corona pandemic. This year in 2023, the visit to Amarnath Cave Temple was from 1st July to 31st August (62 days).
Things to Know Before Going on Amarnath Yatra
- People in the age group of 13 to 70 years are eligible for Amarnath Temple Yatra, and pregnant women are not allowed to travel.
- Pilgrims are required to wear a radio frequency identification card during the journey. This Radio Frequency Identity Card can be obtained with the help of Aadhar Card.
- This journey involves trekking up to an altitude of 14,000 feet. Pilgrims may get diseases while trekking at such high altitude like: Vomiting, Loss of appetite, Dizziness, Tiredness and many other symptoms. Before trekking at such a height, the pilgrims should get information about their health from the doctor.
- At such a height, the amount of oxygen decreases during which difficulties in breathing have to be faced. Pilgrims who have respiratory problems can avoid this journey and other devotees can take portable oxygen with them.
- Travelers are advised to pay attention to symptoms and carry adequate warm clothing, waterproof trousers, windcheater, gloves, thermal inner, raincoat and sleeping bag. It is mandatory to wear trekking shoes on the steep climb.
- One has to travel for 2 hours to reach the temple. Ponies and palanquins are also available to make this journey easier.
- There is a ban on non-veg snacks junk food in the journey. Similarly, intoxicants like liquor, tobacco, pan masala and gutka are also banned.
- Travelers are required to have a high level of physical fitness to complete this journey. Before coming on Amarnath Yatra, 4 to 5 kilometer walk every day and deep breathing exercise should be started one month in advance.
- All pilgrims must obtain a mandatory health certificate to avoid any medical condition that may hinder the journey.
- Never trek alone, always travel in a group. Carry a note or piece of paper with your name, address and the contact number of any of your group mates who can be contacted in case of an emergency.
Hotels in Amarnath Temple
If you are going to visit Amarnath Temple, then you will get to see the ashrams there at cheap prices and you can also book a hotel there whose fare can range from ₹ 1500 to ₹ 2,000 per day. Apart from this, you can also take Amarnath Temple tour package in which the hotel is already booked for you. You can book these hotels through any medium, online or offline.
Amarnath Temple Trip Cost
If you take a tour package for Amarnath Yatra, then this journey may cost you Rs 15,000 to 20,000 which will include hotel, car, sightseeing, meals, insurance etc. Apart from this, if you are thinking of going by your own vehicle or public transport, then it can cost at least Rs 10,000 to 15,000. You can get tour packages for Amarnath Yatra through any online app or website.
How to Reach Amarnath Cave Temple
There are two ways to reach Amarnath cave temple. First, Pahalgam to Amarnath cave which is an easy route and second Baltal to Amarnath cave which is a more difficult route than Pahalgam.
Amarnath temple can be reached by road, rail, air. Through all these routes you will first have to reach Pahalgam city which is well connected to all the states of India. Pahalgam town is located 90 km from Srinagar which is the capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
There is no direct rail route available for Baltal. To reach Baltal, you will first have to reach Srinagar, after that from there you will have to take a taxi to reach Baltal. The nearest airport to Baltal is Srinagar from where you can go to either Baltal or Pahalgam.
By Road: Pahalgam town and Baltal are well connected by road to all major cities of India. Pahalgam and Baltal are connected by National Highway 501.
By Rail: The nearest railway station from Pahalgam is Udhampur Railway Station which is located 217 km from Pahalgam. Udhampur railway station is well connected to all the cities of India.
By Air: The nearest airport from Pahalgam city is Srinagar Airport which is located 105 km from Pahalgam and 114 km from Baltal.
Pahalgam to Amarnath Cave
Amarnath cave is located 36 to 48 kilometers from Pahalgam, which may take 3 to 5 days to complete. This is an easy route to Amarnath cave where you will get the facility of helicopter and pony. There are 10 places to be seen between Pahalgam and Amarnath Cave, then the 11th place is Amarnath Cave.
Route Map: Pahalgam – Chandanwadi – Pissu Top – Zoji Bal – Naga Koti – Sheshnag – Warbal – Mahagunas Top – Pabibal – Panchtarni – Sangam – Cave
Baltal to Amarnath Cave
The distance between Baltal and Amarnath Cave is 14 kilometers, which takes one to 2 days to complete. It is a difficult route to Amarnath cave where you have to travel on foot. Helicopter and pony support are not available on this route. Three places can be seen between Baltal and Amarnath Cave and then the 4th place is Amarnath Cave.
Route Map: Baltal – Domali – Barari – Sangam – Amarnath Cave
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