| PLACE | ALTITUDE | DISTANCE | FROM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTRS | FEET | |||
| CHANDANWARI | 2895 | 9500 | 16.0 KM | PAHALGAM |
| PISSU TOP | 3377 | 11000 | 3.0 KM | CHANDANWARI |
| SHESHNAG | 3352 | 11730 | 11.0 KM | PISSU TOP |
| MAHAGUNAS | 4276 | 14000 | 4.6 KM | SHESH NAG |
| PANCHTARNI | 3657 | 12000 | 9.4 KM | MAHAGUNUS TOP |
| SANGAM | - | - | 3.0 KM | PANCHTARNI |
| HOLY CAVE | 3952 | 13000 | 3.0 KM | SANGAM |
Amarnath is located in Jammu and Kashmir and is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Amarnath Temple is one among the most revered Hindu pilgrimage places in India. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that this is where Lord Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his wife Parvati. Inside the main Amarnath Cave sits a giant ice stalagmite that is supposed to resemble the Shiva Ling. Every year thousands of pilgrims make this difficult trek up into the mountains to show their devotion to Lord Shiva. The ice Shiva Ling forms between the months of May to August and then gradually melts away. The other ice formations in this cave represent Shiva and Parvati's son Ganesh.
The dates for the Amarnath Yatra this year are from 2 July 2015 to 29 August 2015. Registration can be done online through the Amarnath Yatra official website www.amarnathyatra.org
Children who are below the age of 13 years and persons above the age of 75 years will not be eligible to undertake the Amarnath Yatra 2015.
How to Reach Amarnath
Air
: The closest airport to Amarnath is Srinagar, located at a distance of around 95 km from Pahalgam, the base camp for Amarnath Yatra. Srinagar is connected to major cities in India by airlines such as Air India, GoAir, IndiGo, Jet Airways, JetKonnect and Spicejet. Pawan Hans and Himalayan Heli Helicopters also fly to Amarnath and can be booked through their official websites www.pawanhans.co.in or www.himalayanheli.com or www.onlineglobalhelicorp.comRail
: The nearest railhead to Amarnath is Jammu, located at a distance of around 315 km from Pahalgam, the base camp for Amarnath Yatra. Major trains connecting Amarnath to other parts of the country are:- Delhi: Jammu Rajdhani
- Chennai: Andaman Express
- Howrah: Himgiri Express
- Ahmedabad: Sarvodaya Express
- Jamnagar: Jam Jat Express
- Pune: Jhelum Express
Road
: It is possible to travel to Amarnath by bus or taxi. Taxis and buses are available for travel from Jammu to Pahalgam (a total distance of 315 km). Buses and taxis can be hired from the Tourist Reception Centre (Jammu and Kashmir Government), located at Raghunath Bazaar (bookings can only be made early in the morning).The journey by road (walking) passes through Pahalgam to the holy Cave and covers a distance of about 46 kilometres. The distance to be covered from Pahalgam to Amarnath is as follows:
Pahalgam to Chandanwari - 16 km
Chandanwari to Pissu Top - 3 km
Pissu Top to Sheshnag - 12 km
Sheshnag to Panchtarni - 6 km
Panchtarni to Holy Cave - 6 km
Accommodation in Amarnath
Many government and non-government, charitable organisations provide tent accommodation and community kitchen (langar) facilities to pilgrims at a very nominal price or at times even free of cost.
Last Updated on : March 1, 2017
