Amarnath

Location: 145-Km from Srinagar.
Significance: Known as Cheerapunji of Maharashtra.
Altitude: 4175 m
Climate: Summer 35°C, Winter 12°C.
Best Time to Visit: May to Aug

Main Attractions: Pilgrimage - Amarnath Yatra

According to Hindu mythology, Amarnath hill station is the famous Hindu shrine of Amarnath is situated in the Valley of Lidder. 14 000 m, a large shrine is dedicated to the trinity of God, Shiva. According to legend, when Lord Shiva Parvati questions that wears a crown of his head and his immortality, then was the secret of Shiva describes the creation of the universe and secrete the immortaliy and Parvati in the cave of Amarnath. A pair of pigeons has listened to their conversations in secret and came to Amar take birth again and again, it is also a cave of eternal abode. Amarnath Cave is a phallus of Shiva, which naturally formed ice " stalagmite that grows throughout the period from May to August and gradually decreases thereafter. Shivling The most important remains associated with two other bodies of ice, one that Parvati and Ganesha is the other. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit this place of pilgrimage annually.

Jammu and Kashmir government has organized annual yatra to Amarnath Holy Cave in July and August (Hindu Shravan month), so the date varies each year and depends on the weather. The pilgrims are allowed to perform darshan of the holy cave and Shivalinga for an entire month of Shravan to Ashard Purnimashi Purnimashi. Registration begins yatra pilgrims for about a month before the Yatra.

The prescribed form of registration has to be deposited at one of the following registration counters:

1. Assistant Director-Tourism, J&K Government (For residents of Delhi, U.P and Haryana). 201-203 Kanishka Shopping Complex, 19-Ashok Road New Delhi, Tel: 011-3345373. Address for registration- J&K Govt. Guest House Kutlly Marg Chankiyapuri New Delhi.

2. Deputy Director Tourism, J&K Govt. 26th North Wing ,World Trade Centre Cuffe Parade, Colaba Mumbai. Tel: 022-218804 (for residents of Maharshtra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa).

3. Tourist Officer, J&K Govt., 12 Chowringhee, Culcutta. (Tel 033-228591) (For residents of West Bangal, Orrisa, Bihar and North Eastern States).

4. Assistant Director Tourism, J&K Government, II-floor 36/36-A North Uma Road Chennai. Tel: 044-550551. For residents of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

5. Assistant Tourist Officer, J&k Govt., Airlines House, Lal Darwaza, Ahmadabad (Tel:077-5503551). For residents of Gujarat State)

6. Assistant Tourist Officer, J&K Govt. 5th Floor, Left Wing, Chandra Vihar Complex, M.J. Road, Hyderabad. Tel: 044-4734805 (For residents of Andra Pradesh and Karnataka)

7. Deputy Director, Tourism, J&K Govt, Tourist Reception Centre, Veer Marg Jammu. Tel: 0191-520432 (For residents of Jammu, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh)

8. Tourist Officer, J&K Govt, Enquiry & Reservations, Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar. Tel: 0194-479548, 452690 (For those applying directly to Head office)

Devotees religiously travel through the traditional rocky path of 42 km (26 mi) to the holy shrine on foot from Pahalgam. They reach shrine in 4-5 days. There is an alternate short route from Baltal. Ponnies are also available to carry elderly and children. Eatables and water is available on Govt. Depots at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtami at fair price.

The numerous small tea stalls and restaurants are set up alongside the entire pathway. However, it is always a plus point for pilgrims to carry biscuits, toffees, tinned food etc. with them. Medical posts are established enroute to the Amarnath cave which serve pilgrims free of cost