Amarnath Yatra

The annual Amarnath Yatra to the renowned cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir attracts thousands of people. The cave shrine is noted for the formation of a natural Shiva Lingam. The natural ‘ice lingam’ is formed by the ice droplets from the rooftop of the vast cave.

Amarnath Yatra begins on the Jyeshta Purnima day (June) and ends on the Raksha Bandan day (Shravan Purnima) (August).

The cave shrine can be accessed from Baltal and the traditional Pahalgam route. The Baltal route is shorter but the climb is steep. The traditional Pahalgam route passes through Sheeshnag and Panchtarni – both are important mythological places.

There are helicopter services from Baltal and Srinagar. The round trip from Baltal to the cave shrine will cost around Rupees 6,000 per head. From Srinagar, it is around Rupees 19,000. Tents, huts and toilets will be set up at the base camp for devotees by the shrine board.