Amarnath Yatra – begins on 07 June to 05 August 2009 – Online Registration for Amarnath Yatra

Shiva Ling at Amarnath

Amarnath Yatra is one of the most saught after hindu pilgrimage in India with thousands of visitors reaching state of jammu & Kashmir during summers every year for Amarnath Yatra.

Amarnath cave lies an ice stalagmite resembling the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes there after. This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival. The Rig Veda evokes his presence in its hymns, Vedic Myths, rituals and even testify to his existance from the dawn of time.

“The Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organised travel system, evolved over time by Hindu sages and embodying the spirit of wander, adventure and spirituality”

Shiva, in the form of a lingam, is formed naturally of an ice – stalagmite One of the holy trinity, Shiva is a living god. 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.

Shiva is known to have made his home in the Himalayas. He built no house nor shelter, not for himself or his bride. He was an ascetic, and yet married; he could be both for “he was the wild god sporting in the forest or taking his ease on a cloud.”

Devotees lining up near Amarnath Cave

Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in the Amarnathji cave. Unknown to them, a pair of mating pigeons eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the pigeons-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

The trek to Amarnath, in the month of Shravan (July-August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a lingam, is formed naturally of an ice-stalamite, and which waxes and wanes with the Moon. By its side are, fascinatingly, two more ice-lingams, that of Parvati, and of their son, Ganesha.

According to an ancient tale, there was once Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik who was given a sack of coal by a Sadhu. Upon reaching home he discovered that the sack, in fact, contained gold. Overjoyed and overcome. Buta Malik rushed back to look for the sadhu and thank him, but on the spot of their meeting discovered a cave, and eventually this became a place of pilgrimage for all believers. To date, a percentage of the donations made by pilgrims are given to the descendants of Malik, and the remaining to the trust which manages the shrine.

Yet another legend has it that when Kashyap Reshi drained the Kashmir Valley of water (it was belied to have been a vast lake), the cave and the lingam were discovered by Bregish Reshi who was travelling the Himalayas. When people heard of the lingam, Amarnath for them became Shiva’s abode and a centre of pilgrimage.

Online registration for Amarnath Yatra

For more details, on line registration with Government of jammu & Kashmir through J&K bank click on the link below:

Click here for online registration for Anarnath Yatra with J&K Bank (Government)

How to travel to Amarnath

By 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 .

By Helicopter: Himalayan Heli a Non Scheduled Air Transport operator offers pilgrims services during Shri Amaranth ji Yatra for direct transport. 

Himalayan Heli Amarnath yatra help line no.s – 011 -24532058 / 24532069

Click here for Himalayan Heli Online Booking for Yatra

By 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.

By 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.

Where to stay during Amarnath Yatra

You can boo the huts during Amarnath Yatra. For booking and any other queries please contact :-

Shiraz travels, Shirin mansions,
Lambert lane, Residency road,
Srinagar – 190001, J&k

Tel: 0194-2455221, 2455701, 2455705
Fax: 0194-2473623
Mobile: 09419002830, 09906500102
Email: shiraztravels@yahoo.com