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. |
|
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.
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 |
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. |
To reach
Jammu from different parts of country :
Bus
Services :Govt.
Bus Services are available from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal to Jammu
Rail
Service schedule for Jammu is as under :
Train No & Name |
Dep
N.Delhi/Delhi |
Arv. Jammu |
Stations Between |
4645
Shalimar Express |
16.10hrs |
06.30
hrs |
N.Delhi-Jammu
Tawi Via J.City |
2425
Rajdhani (Thurs) |
08.50
hrs |
0545
hrs |
N.Delhi-Jammu
Tawi Via Ldh |
3151
Sealdah Exp |
not
via Delhi |
9.20 hrs |
Sealdah-Jammu
Tawi via J.City |
4033
Jammu Tawi Mail |
21.10
hrs(Delhi) |
11.00hrs |
Delhi
-Jammu Tawi Via J.City |
2403
Pooja Express |
03.40
hrs (Delhi) |
09.00hrs |
Delhi-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt. |
1077
Jhelum Express |
21.50
hrs |
11.20
hrs |
Pune-Jammu
Tawi Via J.City |
6317/6787
Him Sagar (Thurs) |
08.05
hrs |
15.05
hrs |
Kanyakumari/Madurai-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
6031
Madras Exp (Mon, Thur,Sun) |
08.05
hrs |
15.05hrs |
Madras-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
6687/6787
Navyug Exp (Mon) |
08.05
hrs |
15.05hrs |
Mangloor/Madurai-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
2471
Super Fast
(Mon,
Thurs, Fri, Sat) |
04.15
hrs |
15.30
hrs |
Bombay-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
2477
Jamnagar
(Wed) |
04.15
hrs |
15.30
hrs |
Jamnagar-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
2473
Sarvodya Exp (Sat) |
04.15
hrs |
15.30
hrs |
Ahemdabad-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
2475
Jamnagar Exp (Tue,Wed) |
04.15
hrs |
15.30
hrs |
Rajkot-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
9367
Malwa Express |
8.10
hrs via Nizamuddin |
18.45
hrs |
Indore-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
3073
Himgiri Exp(Tue,Fri,Sat) |
Starting
Days From Howrah Via Lucknow |
12.55 hrs |
Howrah-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
5087/5097
Amarnath Exp(Mon,Thurs,Fri) |
Starting
Days From starting station |
12.55 hrs |
Gorarkhpur/Baurauni-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt. |
5651
Lohit Exp (Mon) |
Starting
from Gohati on the day |
12.55 hrs |
Gohati-Jammu
Tawi Via J.Cantt |
For
More Details about Trains to Jammu Please Visit at : www.india-travel.com
Airline
Services :
You can reach Jammu, Srinagar by Air from different parts of the country.
For latest information please contact the Indian Airlines office. From
Srinagar you can go to Pahalgam / Baltal by Bus /Taxi.
Approximate
fare from Jammu to Srinagar is Rs.1300.00 per Person by Jet Airways.
For
further Information regarding flights visit at : www.jetairways.com |