The annual Amarnath Yatra is set to begin on July 3 this year and will end on August 28, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival, as announced by Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha. The Yatra will span 57 days, with the Pratham Puja scheduled for June 29 to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings.
Advance registration for the Yatra will open on April 15 through offline and online modes at 554 branches of J&K Bank, PNB, SBI, and Yes Bank nationwide. The pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, attracts thousands of devotees annually from various parts of India and abroad.
The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite formation believed to represent Lord Shiva’s mythical powers, which changes in size with the moon’s phases. Pilgrims can reach the shrine via the traditional Pahalgam route or the Baltal route, with the former being a scenic 34 km trek spanning 3-5 days, passing through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni.
The Pahalgam route includes challenging climbs like Pissu Top and Mahagunas Pass, requiring good physical fitness, while amenities like ‘langars’ and tents are available en route. Alternatively, the Baltal route is shorter, covering a 14 km trek, allowing devotees to return to the base camp on the same day after completing the Yatra. Helicopter services are also provided for pilgrims from both routes.
