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Situated in a narrow
gorge at the farther end of the Lidder Valley, Amarnath Holy Cave stands at
3,888 mtrs. and is 363 kms. from Jammu Via Pahalgam and about 414 kms. from
Jammu Via Baltal. The detailed description of the two routes to the Holy
Cave is given below:
How to Reach:
One can reach the first part of journey through ;
Air:
The nearest
aerodrome is Srinagar. Srinagar is a beautiful valley having world famous
sights to see, such as Dal Lake, Nagina Lake, Shankaracharya Temple, Mughal
Gardens and what not. It is the most sought after tourist place. It
is also known as "Paradise on earth". Srinagar is summer
capital of Jammu & Kashmir. There are daily flights to Srinagar from
Delhi and Jammu. On some week days flights also pickup passengers
from Chandigarh and Amritsar .
Rail:
Jammu is the nearest Railway Station . Jammu is winter Capital of Jammu
& Kashmir. Jammu is a beautiful city and is also known as "CITY OF
TEMPLES". One may visit old temples such as Raghunath Temple ,
Mahadev Mandir and other temples . It is well connected with all stations
of India.The various trains coming to Jammu are listed here below.
Road :
Jammu
and Srinagar are also connected through road. Buses and Taxies are also
available for this part of the journey .These can be hired on daily
as well as full tour basis.
How to Reach Amarnath Holy Cave :
Though
it is tough route still nearly one and a half lac pilgrims
visit every year . The number of pilgrims is increasing every year.
The journey from Jammu onward is by road and there are two routes . The details
are given here.
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1) JAMMU –
PAHALGAM – HOLY CAVE. (Traditional Route)
Jammu to Pahalgam (315
km) – The distance between Jammu to Pahalgam can be covered by Taxi /
Buses. These are available at Tourist Reception Centre, J & K
Govt., Raghunath Bazaar only early in the morning. But one can also come to
Srinagar by air and then move to Pahalgam by road
PAHALGAM –
HOLY CAVE.
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PLACE
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ALTITUDE
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DISTANCE
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FROM
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MTRS
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FEET
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CHANDANWARI
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2895
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9500
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16.0 KM
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PAHALGAM
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PISSU TOP
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3377
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11000
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3.0 KM
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CHANDANWARI
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SHESHNAG
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3352
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11730
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11.0 KM
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PISSU TOP
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MAHAGUNAS
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4276
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14000
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4.6 KM
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SHESH NAG
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PANCHTARNI
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3657
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12000
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9.4 KM
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MAHAGUNUS TOP
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SANGAM
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-
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-
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3.0 KM
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PANCHTARNI
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HOLY CAVE
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3952
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13000
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3.0 KM
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SANGAM
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1. PAHALGAM :
It is 96 KM from Srinagar .This distance can be covered by car,bus or taxi.
Pahalgam is known all over the world for its beauty. It is small
town situated on the banks of Lidder River. It is surrounded by high
mountains. All essentials can be bought here. Good Hotels are available
for accommodation. However the arrangements for stay and Langar are also
made by the Non Government Service Organisations.
2. CHANDANWARI:
The distance from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is 16km. The route is good .It can
be covered by road transport also. Mini buses are also available from
Pahalgam to reach Chandanwari. The trail runs along the Lidder River . The
route is scenic. Food is available here. Pilgrims camp at Pahalgam or
Chandanwari on the first night .
3. PISSU TOP :
As the Yatra proceed further from Chandanwari one climbs a height to reach
Pissu Top. It is said that to be first to reach for darshan of
Bhole Nath Shivshankar there was a war between Devtas and Rakshas . With the
power of Shiv , devtas could kill the rakshas in such large number that the
heap of their dead bodies has resulted in this high mountain.
 4. SHESHNAG:
This second day’s trek of 12 kms from Chandanwari is through Pissu
Top and spectacular, primeval countryside, and reaches Sheshnag –
a mountain which derives its name from its Seven Peaks, resembling the
heads of the mythical snake. The Journey to Sheshnag follows steep inclines
on the right bank of a cascading stream and wild scenery untouched by
civilisation. The second night’s camp at Sheshnag overlooks the deep
blue waters of Sheshnag lake, and  glaciers
beyond it. There are legends of love and revenge too associated with
Sheshnag, and at the camp these are narrated by campfires . The stillness of
a pine scented Himalayan night increases your inner joy. Yatris can take bath
and get their fatigue alleviated. It is beautiful and scenic.
5.PANCHTARNI:
From Sheshnag one has to climb steep height up across Mahagunas Pass at 4276
mtrs.(14000 ft) for 4.6 KM and then descending to the meadow lands of
Panchtarni at a height of 3657 mtrs (12000 ft). The last camp enroute to the
Holy Cave is made here on third day. Here
one faces cold winds which cause the skin to crack . Hence cold cream /
Vaseline
are very useful for protection of skin. Some Yatris are also
effected by deficiency of oxygen .Some may get the feeling of vomiting . So
dry fruit like Allu Bukhara ,sour and sweet eatables like Lemon are useful to control these symptoms . The route to
Mahagunas is full of rivulets , water falls , springs . Panchtarni
is a very beautiful place in the feet of BHAIRAV MOUNT. Five Rivers
flow here . It is said that the five rivers origanated from Lord
Shiva's Hairs (Jataon). Pilgrims camp at Panchtarni on the 3rd night.
6.
THE HOLY CAVE SHRI AMARNATH:
The
Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath is only 6 kms from Panchtarni. As there is no
place to stay hence the pilgrims start in the early hours of the
morning after their stay at Panchtarni. On the way to The Holy Cave one
comes across the Sangam of Amravati and Panchtarni. Some pilgrims
take bath at Amravati near holy cave to become pious before going for
Darshan. Near the cave is found white soil known as Bhasam. It is the most
beloved soil of Shiv ji . The pilgrims apply this Holy soil to their body and
then go for Shivlingam Darshan. There are two smaller Shivlings one of Maa
Parvati and other of Shri Ganesh. It may be noted that after having
early Darshan of the Shivlinga at Holy Cave one can return to Panchtarni well
in time the same day . Some pilgrims camp at Panchtarni while others continue
their journey and reach back Sheshnag by the same evening.
2) Jammu – Baltal – Holy cave (414km)
  Jammu – Baltal
(400km). –
The
distance between Jammu and Baltal can be covered by Taxis / Buses available
at Tourist Reception Centre, J & K / bus stand or one can come to
Srinagar by air and then reach Baltal by road. The road route followed is :
JAMMU
– Udhampur – Kud - Patnitop – Ramban – Banihal –
KaziGund – Anantnag – Srinagar - Sonamarg – Baltal.
The
journey from Jammu to Baltal which is about 400 kms. is full of beautiful
Sites and one can experience of being in Heaven , a Paradise on earth.
Passing through beautiful valleys, steeped mountains, one is sure of
forgetting , oneself as a person ,for a while . A thrill, which is obviously
there in every pilgrim gets enhanced while passing through this way owing to
the Darshan of Holy Cave. In nutshell, a journey which can go down to your
memory throughout the lifetime.
Baltal to
Holy Cave
From
Baltal Holy Cave is just 14 Kms.
 This distance can be covered by foot / Ponies. However, Dandies
are also available for handicapped and old aged pilgrims.
The width of the
pebbled (kuchha) road is a bit narrow as compared to the Chandanwari-Holy
Cave route, moreover , there are some steep rises & falls on the way , as
compared to the Chandanwari route, but pilgrims can return back to base camp
Baltal through this route only in one day.
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