Amarnath yatra is deemed for being one of the most
difficult pilgrimages in India which will take you through the undulating
terrain to the cave of Baba Barfani in Jammu and Kashmir. People make their way
to this stunning cave surrounded by the incredible scenic beauty of the high-altitude Himalayas and the pilgrimage opens up only for a limited duration of 3
months during the summer. The challenging mountainous terrain proves to be
extremely difficult for the pilgrims to cover on foot but in the end, a visit to
the lord’s shrines overpowers the pain. The stalagmite formation of Shivling is
worshipped inside the cave and a pilgrimage there generally lasts for a minimum
of 4 to 5 days.
Here is a list of some important travel tips for the Amarnath Yatra which should be kept in mind:
A Simpler Option
Although the journey to the lord shines is a
difficult one, you can also go for a simpler and more comfortable option
of choosing to do the Amarnath Yatra by helicopter package. This will save you
all the hassle of covering the journey on foot. It is especially a great option
for disabled people, senior citizens, or anyone incapable of completing the trip
on foot. This is also a good choice if you are running short on time but want
to visit the temple. It will take you from Pahalgam and Balatal across
Panjtarni and unlike other helicopter journeys, these are also very cheap and
budget-friendly. Be sure to book your helicopter Yatra of Amarnath through a
reliable and trustworthy company. Even if you are going by road then you can
opt for services like mules, horses, etc.
Age and Other Restrictions
Children below the age of 13 are restricted from
going on this journey and so are senior citizens above the age of 75 years. Women
who are more than six weeks pregnant are also not allowed to go on the Amarnath
pilgrimage. According to the rules of Amarnath, only a limited amount of Yatris
are allowed to go forward each day and these days are allotted to them beforehand.
However, it won’t be an uncommon sight for you to witness disabled people,
senior citizens, and people from various different age groups taking the walking
journey.
Clothing and Other Necessary Items
All the pilgrims are advised to make the journey
with a sufficient amount of woolen clothing and winter wear. You should
definitely carry woolen sweaters, thermal pants, monkey caps, mufflers, ear
muffs, etc. since the wind that blows here is extremely chilly. Other important
things that you should definitely carry are – raincoats, sleeping bags, extra
warm blankets, waterproof shoes/boots, walking stick/trekking pole, torch
with extra batteries, first aid kit with bandages, cotton, antiseptic creams,
pain killers, etc. all the ladies are requested not to go on this trip wearing
saris, it would cause you a lot of discomforts, instead, you can choose to wear
track pants or salwar.
Food Availability En Route
Being one of the most popular and treacherous routes
there are several Langars or Bhandaras available en route the trekking trail.
They provide food free of cost and include delicious food items like roti,
rice, curries, Dosas, Chowmein, etc. You will also receive some delicious
refreshments, dry fruits, and chocolates that will come in handy in providing
you with energy during your journey. There is enough water available
throughout to provide everybody with a lot of water, you will even be given hot
water in some places. There is a local bazaar situated on the outside part of
the holy cave where you can buy Kashmiri saffron, almonds, apricots, and other
items essential to that region.
Registration Procedure
Remember to get yourself registered for the yatra
beforehand it is an essential step to go on the journey which should not be
overlooked. The registration procedure is set underway just a month before
the commencement of the journey. The Yatris will be notified of the dates
through advertisements in the press. No Yatri is allowed to go on the journey if
they don’t possess a Yatra registration card. You can also get registered at
the 440 designated bank branches anywhere in the country. Pilgrims seeking
registration for the yatra are required to carry a medical certificate with
them. To ensure authenticity the shrine board website has published a list
of authorized doctors and medical institutes which can issue CHCs.
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