AmarnathTrekking-cum-Yatra

PO. Anumala, Via-Vyara, Dist-Tapi(Surat) Gujrat State. PIN - 394651 Web : http://greenvalleyanumala.blogspot.com

Dear Friends,

Green valley trekking club is happy to invite for Trekking-cum-Yatra of Amarnath. Interested Trekkers/Pilgrims may give their names to Sh. Sanjay Modi till 01/05/2011.

Details are:

DATE :     09/07/2011 ( Details of  the programme will be announce later)

DURATION: 12 days approx.

 

Regards,

J. R. Jadav - 9428822351

Sanjay Modi - 9427158262

for GVTC

Detailed information:

This year's Amarnath Yatra has been the official announcement. Tour will begin from June 29. Is certain that this time period to travel two and a half months have been reduced. Tour will end on August 13. Friday 20th of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board meeting it was decided. The meeting chaired by Governor NN Vohra and chairman of Amarnath Shrine Board.

Amarnath Yatra When To Take UP Yatra : The Amarnath Yatra is organized every year by the J &K Govt. during the month of shravan (July and August); the dates however, vary every year looking at the weather conditions and according to Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) in the month of Shravan (Vikrama Samwat). This year yatra will be taken up from 29th June, 2011 to 13th August, 2011. The first convey of yatries shall leave Jammu on26th July, 2011 and last on 9th August, 2011 Yatra to Baba Amarnath Holy Cave for which one has to trek a height of about 14,500 ft is full of thrill and joy. The  feeling  of divine which is always beneath  ones' heart,  burst out and one realises ‘Moksha’  as one attends  the Cave   and   perform the  prayer  before the  Shivlinga. Surrounded by beautiful valleys, mountains, one  will  always  feel  His presence on the paradise of the earth, the memory of which hardly vanishes with time    A  journey  which  will  rediscover the nature and its love  which  is always  inside but one has never felt. CLIMATE The climatic conditions are very uncertain. Rain or snowfall may take place at any time or place during the Yatra. It is to be particularly noted that abrupt changes in temperature might occur. Sunny weather may turn into rain / snow fall in a short time.  The temperature may fall up to -5 degree C.  How to Perform Pilgrimage  For performing this Yatra, one is required to get registered. The registration is done by J & K Govt. Tourist Offices, located at Delhi , Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jammu and Srinagar. Applications for registration in the prescribed format which is reproduced here .You can get the print out of this form and this can be used for registration .The filled in form should be sent to the registration office nearest to you, along with two passport size photographs duly affixed at the indicated places, a self addressed pre stamped envelope (for speed post) and a medical fitness certificate from an MBBS doctor.   Each yatri has to submit a separate application for registration.   Every yatri will be issued a registration-cum-identity slip by the registration authority. Yatries are advised to carry this identity slip   during the Yatra period to ensure a smooth passage.

All Yatries are advised the following:  Insurance : In view of the hazardous nature of the Yatra, pilgrims are advised to get themselves insured suitably. It is advisable that insurance cover may be got done before leaving their place of residence.  Accommodation:  Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust provides tented accommodation & Community Kitchen (Langar) to the pilgrims TOTALLY FREE OF COST. This year this service will be made available at Panchtarni. Your valuable suggestions are solicited by filing up the form provided here on the website. Free accommodation is also being provided by other Non Government Charitable Organizations. However, J&K Tourism Development Corporation too provides tented accommodation and shelters at nominal charges. Personal requirements :  Because of the unpredictable  weather conditions, which  often are  wet and extremely cold during the Yatra period, pilgrims are advised to carry rain coat, woolen clothing, small umbrella (with head elastic band and strap around chin), walking stick , dry fruits, torch and  personal medical kits etc.

Route Map

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 civilization. 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 affected 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 and springs. Panchtarni is a very beautiful place in the feet of BHAIRAV MOUNT. Five Rivers flow here. It is said that the five rivers originated 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 Shivji. 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.