Asian Current

Kashmir Himalayas

Amarnath Yatra

Whatever may be your idea of a tour, trek or a holy journey to a divine place, the charisma of a Himalayan pilgrimage surpasses all. The valley of Kashmir attracts people from all over the world for its breathtaking splendor and a trek through the Kashmir Himalayas is no exception. Add to it the sensational joy of finding a stalagmite phallic ice formation that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. Intriguing yet captivating. You know what I am talking about – the journey to the Amarnath caves in the high Himalayas in India where your fellow trekkers will all along be singing devotional hymns in praise of the God of rage and fury, Shiva.

After all, its Shiva’s domain and all are going to take a darshan of the all powerful, in the form of a lingam formed of natural ice in a cave that is ensconced in a glacial backdrop. Also found alongside are the ice formations depicting Shiva’s consort Parvati and their son Ganesha.

How is the Yatra organized?

Amarnath yatra is organized every year by the government of Jammu & Kashmir in India during the month of Sravana (July - August), the actual date depending on certain circumstances. Anyone may participate in the yatra or trek if he or she feels like. But the person needs to be in sound health as there is a lot of walking involved in high altitudes. There are a number of tour operators who take care of all formalities like extension of visas, arranging permissions, hiring ponies, booking of halting places en route, looking after creature comforts, making rail or air reservations and other arrangements.

Base point for the Yatra

The base point of the Yatra is the picturesque hamlet of Pahelgam that is a few hours from Srinagar. During season (July-Aug), this sleepy little place is all agog with communities speaking Hindustani, English, French, German, Chinese and Japanese. In fact, people from all over the world congregate here to take part in the ceremonial Amarnath yatra every year. The starting point of the Amarnath yatra is another charming Himalayan tourist spot named Chandanwari (2895m or 9500 ft), which is just 16 km’s from Pahelgam. From thereon, the trek gets precipitous and is accessible only on foot. Some prefer pony rides for this 11 km journey to yet another stunning Himalayan lagoon known as Sheshnag (3547m or 11730 ft) where people usually relax and rest. 13 km’s from Sheshnag is Panjtarni (12729 ft), the last stopping point. The final destination is just 6 km ahead, surrounded by snow-clad Himalayan peaks and ethereal encompassments.

Climatic Conditions

Climate in the high Himalayas during July-Aug is erratic and unpredictable. Remember, this is also the rainy season. So adequate protection against sudden snow is always good. Unexpected changes in temperature affect pilgrims often in the Amarnath Yatra.