Amarnath yatra
via helicopter

Around 150,000 pilgrims undertake the Amarnath Yatra every year. A priest carrying the Chari Mubarak or holy scepter of Shiva, leads the yatris up to the cave. There are 2 routes to the holy Amarnath Cave. The routes are as follows:

Route 1: Srinagar - Pahalgam - Chandanwari - Pissu Top - Sheshnag - Panchtarni - Amarnath

Route 2: Srinagar - Sonamarg - Baltal - Domail - Barari - Amarnath

Route 1: Via Pahalgam Total Distance = 362 Km

Srinagar - (96 Km) - Pahalgam - (16 Km) - Chandanwari - (3 Km) - Pissu Top - (11Km) - Sheshnag - (14Km) - Panchtarni - (6 Km) - Amarnath

Srinagar: The summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar is a beautiful town situated in the Kashmir Valley. The picturesque Dal Lake, the scenic Mughal gardens and the Shankaracharya Temple are some of the attractions of Srinagar town.

Pahalgam: Located 96 Km from Srinagar, Pahalgam is a charming town on the bank of the Lidder River and is easily accessibly by road. Pahalgam is the last big town along the Amarnath Yatra Route. Accommodation, porters, ponies and provisions for the trek can be acquired here. During the Amarnath Yatra, community kitchens and tented accommodation are provided by the state government.

Chandanwadi: A 16 Km long trail along the Lidder River leads to Chandanwadi, a beautiful village with views of the mountains. After setting out from Pahalgam, the first overnight stop on the Amarnath Yatra is at Chandanwadi in a tented camp. Chandanwadi is at an altitude of 9,500 ft or 2895 meters.

Pissu Top: This high peak along the route is 3 Km from Chandanwadi and is said to be the site of a legendary battle between the Devas (Gods) and Rakshasas (Demons).

Sheshnag: The second overnight halt is at Sheshnag, a high mountain with seven peaks, said to resemble the seven heads of a mythical snake. Sheshnag Peak is 11 Km from Pissu Top and is 11730 ft or 3352 meters high. The trek follows a scenic route and the landscape with pine forests, mountain streams, hills and valleys is truly breathtaking. The camp overlooks the Sheshnag Lake, which is fed by water from the glaciers further ahead. Yatris can bathe in the pristine water of Sheshnag Lake.

Panchtarni: Panchtarni is the last halt on the Amarnath Yatra and is 14 Km from Sheshnag. The journey to Panchtarni is over the Mahagunas Pass, which is 14000 ft or 4276 m high. Pilgrims can then descend to Panchtarni, which is situated in a valley and can stay overnight in the tented camp in the meadow. A confluence of five rivers can be seen at Panchtarni. Yatris usually rest overnight and leave early next morning for the holy Amarnath Cave.

Amarnath: The sacred cave at Amarnath is located 6 Km from Panchtarni. Pilgrims leave at dawn and can have a ritual dip on the way at the Sangam of the Panchtarni and Amravati rivers. Pilgrims anoint their bodies with the white soil called Bhasam found near the cave and then enter the cave for the Darshan of the ice pillars worshipped as Lord Shiva, Ma Parvati and Sri Ganesh. After praying at the holy Amarnath Cave pilgrims can return to Panchtarni and stay overnight before beginning their return journey. Pilgrims can also travel back to Sheshnag on the same day.


Route 2
Srinagar - 113 Km - Baltal - 14 Km - Amarnath

Srinagar: The summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar is a beautiful town situated in the Kashmir Valley. The picturesque Dal Lake, the scenic Mughal gardens and the the Shankaracharya Temple are some of the attractions of Srinagar town.

Baltal: Located just 14 Km from the holy Amarnath Cave Baltal is at an altitude of 3000 m. Pilgrims can travel from Baltal to the Amarnath Cave and back on the same day. This route to Amarnath is a steeper and narrower route, and pilgrims have to walk cautiously while crossing ice bridges across mountain streams. Pilgrims leave Baltal and travel past the rest stops of Domail and Barari to arrive at the Sangam of the Panchtarni and Amravati rivers. After a ritual dip they can proceed to the holy cave.

Amarnath: The sacred cave at Amarnath is located 3 km from the Sangam. Pilgrims can have a ritual dip on the way at the Sangam of the Panchtarni and Amravati rivers, anoint their bodies with the white soil called Bhasam found near the cave and then enter the cave for the Darshan of the ice pillars worshipped as Lord Shiva, Ma Parvati and Sri Ganesh. After praying at the holy Amarnath Cave pilgrims can return to Baltal and stay overnight before beginning their return journey.