The Amarnath Cave, a sacred Hindu shrine nestled in the region of Jammu and Kashmir, is perched at a lofty altitude of 3,888 meters. This revered cave holds immense significance in Hinduism and is encircled by pristine, snow-clad mountains.
Each year, during the months of July and August, this site becomes the focal point of a massive annual Hindu pilgrimage, drawing as many as 600,000 or more devotees to the imposing Amarnath Cave, which stands tall at 130 feet. The commencement of this yearly spiritual journey, known as the Amarnath Yatra, is heralded by the ‘pratham pujan’ ceremony. Pilgrims embark on this sacred quest on foot, traversing the path from either Srinagar or Pahalgam.
On the way to the cave, numerous nonprofit organizations have erected food distribution and rest tents, referred to as Pandals, which are generously available to all travelers.
In the bygone era, a direct train connected the rest of India to Jammu, the winter capital of the state, with the most captivating part of the journey unfolding between Guru Purnima and Shravan Purnima. From Jammu, a bus service facilitates the journey to Pahalgam, situated at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Pahalgam, aptly named the “land of shepherds” in Kashmir, is the place where Lord Shiva, as a symbol of renouncing the earthly realm, performed the Tandava Dance before ultimately entering the sacred Amarnath Cave, accompanied by Parvathi.
Each year, a substantial contingent of central and state police personnel is deployed to ensure the safety of the pilgrims against potential threats of terrorism. These forces are strategically positioned at various halts and also around the shrine’s vicinity. The official organization of the yatra is a collaborative effort between the State Government and the Shree Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
In contemporary times, the first 15 kilometers of the journey, from Pahalgam to Chandanwari, can be comfortably covered in just a two-hour drive. The actual trek commences only from Chandanwari. For those seeking a shorter Amarnath Yatra route, it begins at Baltal. The nearest railway station to Amarnath is in Jammu, located at a distance of 178 kilometers. From Jammu, one can easily hire a cab to reach either Baltal or Pahalgam, from where the journey to Amarnath Cave unfolds, typically taking 1 to 2 days on foot.