Nearing the end of June, devotees are all keyed up to begin the most famous Yatra to the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath Ji this year. The holy pilgrimage got cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic. Baba Barfani Dham is open after a long time, and no matter how tough the route or terrain, pilgrims are excited as ever to get the Darshan of Lord Shiva in what is a wonder of natural Shivling formation out of ice stalagmite.
This year, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra begins on June 30, 2022, and ends on August 11, 2022. Yes, we are this close to witnessing Yatris aplenty on their preferred route to visit the most revered cave shrine. How is the preparation? What are the ways to reach Baba’s Dham? Know this and more significant aspects of Shri Amarnath Yatra.
Know the Yatra and its religious importance
A religious pilgrimage celebrated annually by the Hindu devotees, Shri Amarnath is the Holy Cave in South Kashmir. Here, Lord Shiva’s well-known form, Shivling, is famous for its natural formation from the snow. Moreover, the place holds religious significance among the Hindu devotees, for this is where Lord Shiva arrived with Maa Parvati to narrate to her the story of Immortality – Amar Katha.
The Yatra is the testament of undying faith and eternal belief in the Immortal one – Lord Shiva, who chose Shri Amarnath as his sacred abode. Since it is not possible to arrive here in the harsh cold winter, for the place is always blanketed in snow, one can get Darshan of Baba Barfani only during specific months.
Surprisingly, the month that the Holy Cave is open to pilgrims always falls from the end of June to August. As per the Hindu Calendar, this is the auspicious Shravan month, the favourite of Lord Shiva. The alignment of this holy event with the natural occurrence at Shiva’s abode in Shri Amarnath naturally calls for all his devotees.
Shri Amarnath Ji Registration Procedure
Registration for this year started on April 11, 2022. Everyone who has registered through the Shrine Board must be ready to set out on this arduous journey where the Valley is deep and narrow, mountains lofty and steep and the faith as strong as ever.
Who can undertake this Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra?
- Children above the age of 13 years
- Old and adults should be below the age of 70 years.
- Pregnant ladies with more than six weeks’ pregnancy cannot undertake this Yatra.
How to Arrive at Shri Amarnath Ji Cave?
To reach here, Baltal and Pahalgam are the two known routes.
- Pahalgam is the longest route through which you will cover the mythological spots associated with the Amar Katha. The route is Jammu – Pahalgam – Chandanwari – Pissu Top – Sheshnag – Panchtarni – Shrine.
- Baltal is the shorter route taking a day or two to get to the Darshan of Baba Barfani and be back. The route is Jammu – Baltal – Domail – Barari – Shrine.
Know the destination’s distance of each route in detail here.
Services Available during Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra
During the Yatra, there are several modes of transportation which you can opt to make your journey easier. Pilgrims can avail themselves of these services if they feel weak and suffer from high-altitude sickness.
Transportation Services
The rates are fixed and differ for each service, either to hire Porters/Ponies/Palkies/Dandies(carried by six carriers). Check the rates here.
Heli Services
Heli tickets can be booked through this link. Once your ticket is confirmed, you need to carry along the following documents:
- A hard copy of the printed ticket. No digital ticket will be entertained.
- Passenger-wise ID proof as submitted at the time of online booking.
- SASB prescribed Health certificate in original.
- Aadhar card in original of each passenger.
Shelter & Medical Facilities
Accommodation facilities are available at base camps with medical centres in place to deal with any development of high-altitude sickness.
Travel tips to Shri Amarnath Ji
- Start exercising, walking, and running a month before the Yatra.
- Ensure you stay fit and healthy before heading out for this challenging trek.
- Travel slowly and not in a hurry. You need to understand the exertion and pressure your body is going through while climbing.
- Take time to acclimate and let your body habituate to the reduced oxygen level.
- Carry woollen clothes to keep yourself warm and water bottles to stay hydrated.
A travel lover and moody chef, Surbhi loves to read & write and doodle in her free time. For her, being able to write is a blessing, and to keep at it—a work-in-progress. When not working, you can find her swimming her worries away, dancing to the beats, or filling up her bucket list to tick them off.