One of the holy trinity, Shiva is a living god. The most sacred and most ancient book of India, the Rig Veda evokes his presence in its hymns, Vedic Myths, rituals and even testify to his existance from the dawn of time. Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknown to them, a pair of doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learnt the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the doves pair when they tred the ardous route to pay obeisance before the ice lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva). The annual yatra to Holy Amarnath Cave, situated at 14000 ft. above sea level, is organised by the State Government during the month of July and August. The intending pilgrims are allowed to perform darshan from Ashard Purnimashi to Shravan Purnimashi which course spreads over a month or so. With a view to work out and finalise different arrangements, a series of core meetings are held at Srinagar as well as Pahalgam (the base-camp for Amarnath Yatra). Among other issues connected with yatra, a decision is taken for regulating the yatra traffic within the prescribed daily ceiling as per Sen Gupta Report on both Pahalgam and Baltal routes . Simultaneously, the J&K Tourist offices located outside the State, are asked to start advance registration of yatries on first come first serve basis, within a stipulated period and thereafter `current registration' of yatris is done by the Tourist offices within the State which continues till end of yatra. The detailed information with regard to Yatra, including other related issues like Do's and Don'ts, installation of free langers by NGOs is publicised by the Tourism Department in leading national dailies as well as local news papers. However the intending Yatris can have the detailed information in the form of printed material at all the Tourism Offices located within and outside the state .
Following are the designated Registration Officers and their addresses:
1. Assistant Director-Tourism, J&K Government (For residents of Delhi, U.P and Haryana). Address for correspondence, 201-203 Kanishka Shoping Complex, 19-Ashok Road New Delhi, Tel:011-3345373. Address for registration, J&K Govt. Guest House Kutlly Marg Chankiyapuri New Delhi.
2. Deputy Director Tourism,J&K Govt., 26th North Wing ,World Trade Centre Cuffe Parade, Colaba Mumbai. Tel: 022-218804 (for residents of Maharshtra, Madiya Pradesh and Goa).
3. Tourist Officer, J&K Govt., 12 Chowringhee, Culcutta. (Tel 033-228591) (For residents of West Bangal, Orrisa, Bihar and North Eastern States).
4. Assistant Director Tourism, J&K Government, II-floor 36/36-A North Uma Road Chennai. Tel: 044-550551. For residents of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
5. Assistant Tourist Officer, J&k Govt., Airlines House, Lal Darwaza, Ahmadabad (Tel:077-5503551). For residents of Gujarat State).
6. Assistant Tourist Officer, J&K Govt. 5th Floor, Left Wing, Chandra Vihar Complex, M.J. Road, Hyderabad. Tel: 044-4734805 (For residents of Andra Pradesh and Karnataka).
7. Deputy Director, Tourism, J&K Govt, Tourist Reception Centre, Veer Marg Jammu. Tel:0191-520432 ( For residents of Jammu, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh).
8. Tourist Officer, J&K Govt, Enquiry & Reservations , Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar. Tel:0194-479548, 452690 ( For those applying directly to Head office).
The holy Amartnath cave stands at the farther end of Lidder valley and is away 46 KMs from Pahalgam and 141 KMs from Srinagar. The common practice for pilgrimage is to begin journey at Chandanwari involving 5 days
SERVICES AND FACILITIES
Regular and adequate services of the State Road Transport Corporation , Private Transport Operators as well as Tata Sumo's and Taxis from Jammu ( Transist Camp) to Pahalgam and Baltal within the stipulations of security cover and other services like ponies, dandies etc on the track from Pahalgam/Baltal onwards are available. Yatries do not face any difficulty in getting their reservations at Jammu booking offices . Single/ return jouney can be booked conveniently. Similarly yatries can avail facilities for booking of ponies/dandies, labourers etc. at the base camp Pahalgam / Chandanwari.
Government accommodation at Pahalgam/Sonamarg/Jammu is controlled by J&K Tourism Development Corporation which can be reserved directly through the Manager Reservations, JK TDC, TRC Jammu (Tel: 0191-579554, 546412) and Manager Reservations, JK TDC, TRC Srinagar (Tel:0194-472644, 457927) Private hotels/tented accommodation at Pahalgam/Sonamarg can be reserved in advance by the Tourist Officer Pahalgam/Sonamarg or on the spot. Similarly the hotel accommodation at Srinagar can be reserved in advance/ on spot by the Tourist Officer, Enquiry and Reservations, TRC Srinagar (Tel: 0194-452690, 479548, 472449). The tented accommodation arranged by the Govt. through private registered agencies, is available at all stations enroute the Holy Cave during the entire yatra period on first come first serve basis against cash payment on spot.
The Department of Tourism, J&K Govt. besides providing registration facilities and booking of various services at Base camps (Chandanwari(Pahalgam)/Baltal) establishes Information Camps at different stations enroute for any assistance and help required by the yatries during the yatra. A network of telecommunication facilities is also available at all the stations of the yatra for the yatries.
DO'S AND DON'TS FOR YATRIES TO SHRI AMAR NATH JI
DO'S
1. Please ensure that you are physically and mentally fit to perform the journey as the Yatra involves trekking at an altitude of 14, 000 ft. Have yourself medically examined and certified fit for the journey and forward the medical certificate to the registering authority designated for your area of residence.
2. Do carry sufficient heavy woolens including sweaters, (full as well as half sleaved), drawers woolen trousers, gloves, monkey caps etc. other items to be carried include wind cheater, light rain coat, a sleeping bag or blankets or a set of bedding items water proof tent, a torch with sufficient batteries, a walking stick with proper hand grip. Ladies are advised not go on the journey in Saris, instead pants or salwar suits with drawers should be used.
3. Do carry some eatable like biscuits, candy, milk powder, sugar, assorted dry fruits, honey and some tinned food with you. Also carry water bottle, plastic plate, tumbler, Spoons, etc.
4. Ration and firewood quota has been especially arranged for you at all stations enroute, against payment.
5. Make sure that the ponywalla, the labourer, the dandywalla is properly registered and carries a token. You can get these allotted at fixed rates by competent authority at the same camp.
6. Do ensure that ponies carrying your luggage and eatables etc. remain with you all time, if you let them ramain behind you are likely to be unnecessarily inconvenienced.
7. Do observe discipline on the trek and keep on moving slowly and steadily. Adhere to the instructions issued by the Yatra Officer from time to time. The officials of the Police, Tourism, Health, Food & Supplies and other Departments are there to help you to perform the journey comfortably.
8. Do carry sufficient money to pay your accommodation at Pehalgam and at other stations enroute to the Holy Cave and for meeting other personal requirements.
9. All medical facilities during the Yatra are free. However, do carry your personal medical kit also.
10. Carrying/use of alcohol enroute the Yatra is strictly prohibited.
DON'TS
1. Do not overstrain on steep gradients.
2. Do not relax at points where there are warning notices.
3. Do not break traffic discipline or try to overtake others in difficult stretches of the route.
4. Do not pay more than the prices/rates fixed for porters, ponies, dandies, rations firewood, accommodation etc.
Note:-
Aged, infirm, ailing, and insufficiently clothed persons will not be permitted to proceed beyond Pehalgam. No Yatri will be allowed without a registration card.
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