Holy Amarnath Yatra

For me travel is all about new experiences. Meeting new people, learning about different cultures, trying the local cuisine, trying a new exciting activity. What’s that saying? “Travel, it leaves you speechless then turns you into a story teller!” Never a truer word spoken.

I recently went to Holy Amarnath Yatra,What an incredible place to Visit...

Yatra can be done in two ways , either by Foot or Helicopter.

How to Reach:

BY AIR-Srinagar, the nearest aerodrome, has world famous sights to see, such as Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Shankaracharya Temple and Mughal gardens like Shalimar, Nishat and Cheshma-shahi. Known as "Paradise on earth" and being the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, the city is well connected by air and road. There are daily flights to Srinagar from Delhi and Jammu. On certain weekdays flights also pickup passengers from Chandigarh and Leh.

BY RAIL-Jammu is the nearest Railway Station. Jammu is the winter Capital of Jammu & Kashmir. Also known as "CITY OF TEMPLES", one may visit old temples such as Raghunath Temple, Mahadev Mandir and other temples. Railway station is very well connected and there are lots of express trains to various towns in India.

BY ROAD-Jammu and Srinagar are also connected through road. Buses and Taxies are available for this part of the journey. These can be hired on daily as well as on full tour basis.

My main purpose to write this blog is to provide you information about the Helicopter yatra ,when you want to finish the trip in a short span of time.

USEFUL INFORMATION: 

1. The trek to the Panjtarni - Holy Cave and back to Panjtarni takes approx. 4-5 hours by walk and aprox 1.5 hours {one side} by ponies Or Palkies. And the Darshan takes min. 1-2 hour time. Normally the flights stop operation after 5 PM {Sub. To the weather conditions}, hence, it is likely that passengers reaching Panjtarni after 11 AM may be unable to take the flight back to Neelgrath the same day. Such passengers will need to put up for a night at Panjtarni {at Tent}at their own cost and they will be picked up from Panjtarni the next day on first come first serve basis by the same helicopter service.

DURATION: 3 Nights - 4 Days {1 Nt at Srinagar + 1 Nt at Holy Cave + 1 Nt at Srinagar}

PLACES can be COVERED: Srinagar –Neelgrath – Holy Cave – Kheer Bhawani Temple - Srinagar

SIGHTSEEING: Enroute Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple Tour , Srinagar Local

ITINERARY:

DAY 01: ARRIVE AT SRINAGAR & HALF DAY SIGHSTEEING OF MUGHAL’S GARDEN 

You can start with your arrival at Srinagar airport then proceed for local sightseeing tour to famous Nishat Garden known as 'Garden of pleasure' built in 16th century (1633) by Mughal Emperor Asif Khan. Then visiting Shalimar Garden known as 'Garden of love' built in 16th century (1619) by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife Noor Jehan or (Mehr-un-Nissa). Overnight at Srinagar.

DAY 02: SRINAGAR - NEELGRATH # NEELGARTH - PANCHTARANI 

After breakfast and drive to Neelgrath Helipad {100 Kms ~ 4 Hrs}. By the afternoon arrive at Neelgarth via Sonmarg. Neelgrath {Baltal}- Panchtarni helicopter ride {One way}. The Helicopter start operating at 06.00 Hrs (Weather Permitting). Panjtarni is approx 6 Kms from Holy Cave, you can go there by Foot or can hire Palki/Pony at your own cost. After darshan return you can stay at Holy Cave / Panchtarani at Camp. Free meals are available at Local Langars. Overnight self stay at Holy Bhawan / Panchtarani.

DAY 03: PANCHTARANI – NEELGARTH # KHEER BHAWANI TEMPLE – SRINAGAR. 

Morning take your return bording from Panchtarani - Neelgarth by helicopter {One way}. On arrival at Neelgarth, pick up and directly transfer to Srinagar. You can take the darshan of Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple {Enroute}. Kheer bhawani Temple is situated in the village of ‘TULMUL’(meaning –of great value )is the shrine of Kheer bhawani.The sacred spring at the temple symbolizes goddess Ragnya Devi.When Ravana finished his worship goddess accepted his offer of kheer(Rice pudding),since the goddess is known as Kheer Bhawani. After darshan continue your drive to Srinagar. By the evening arrive at Srinagar. overnight stay at Srinagar.

DAY 04: DEPARTURE DAY

This is the day you can depart to your Home with the happy memories...

REMARKS: 

Your journey shall involve trekking across high mountains, facing strong cold winds. You must carry (i) adequate woollen clothing; (ii) a small umbrella (preferably one which is tied with an elastic band around your head and supported by a strap around the chin); (iii) windcheater; (iv) raincoat; (v) waterproof trekking shoes; (vi) torch; (vii) walking stick; (viii) cap (preferably a monkey cap); (ix) gloves; (x) jacket; (xi) woollen socks; (xii) trousers (preferably a waterproof pair). These items are essential as the climate is highly unpredictable and changes abruptly from sunny weather to rain and snow. The temperature can sometimes abruptly fall to 5 degrees Celcius or lower. Postpaid connection will be working at Neelgrath onward (BSNL/ Airtel). Please carry the postpaid mobile connections in Jammu & Kashmir sector.

FOR LADIES:

Saree is not a suitable dress for the Yatra. Salwar Kameez, pant shirt or a track suit will be better. Ladies who are more than 6 week pregnant shall not be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.

Do’s & Don’ts for Shri Amarnathji Yatra

1. Prepare for the Yatra by achieving a high level of Physical Fitness. You are advised to start at atleast a month prior to the Yatra at least a 4-5km Morning/Evening walk. For Improving the oxygen efficiency of your body, you should start doing deep breathing exercises and Yoga, particularly Pranayam. 

2.Keeping in view the tough nature of the trek, children below 13 year in age and elderly persons above the age of 75 years shall not be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage. 

3. It would be better if the porter / horses / ponies carrying your luggage travel just in front or behind you, as you may suddenly need something from your baggage. 

4. During the Yatra from Pahalgam/Baltal onwards, you should keep spare clothes/ eatables in a suitable water proof bag to ensure against their getting wet. 

5. Carry a water bottle, dry fruits, roasted grams/channa, toffees/gur (jiggery), chocolates, etc for use during the journey.

6. Carry some cold cream/Vaseline/sunscreen to protect your hands /face against sunburn etc.

7. You should not trek alone. Always travel in a group and ensure that all those comprising the group, walking in front of you or in the rear, always remain in your sight, to ensure against your being separated from them.

8.To enable prompt action being taken in case of any emergency, you should keep in your pocket a note containing the name/addresses/mobile telephone number of a member of your group with whom you are travelling. You must also carry your Yatra Permit and any other identity card. 

9.On your return journey, you must leave the Base Camp along with all members of your group. In case any member of your group is missing you must seek immediate assistance of the Police and also have an announcement made on the Public Address System at the Yatra Camp. 

Don’ts

1. Don’t stop at places which are marked by warning notices.

2. Don’t use slippers because there are steep rises and falls on the route to the Holy Cave. Only wear trekking shoes with laces. 

 3. Don’t attempt any short cuts on the route as doing so would be dangerous. 

4. Do not do anything during your entire forward/return journey which could cause pollution or disturb the environment of the Yatra area. Use of plastics is strictly banned in the State and is punishable under law.

Thanks for visiting , i will update you with more journeys soon.For any assistance you can call me on my num i.e. ( 8560043906) or comment me on below...