Amarnath Yatra Guide – Everything You Want to Know About Amarnath Cave Shrine

If you are planning a spiritual journey, here is a complete Amarnath Yatra Guide 2024. It will help you get all the important information you need for a smooth travel experience. 

Amarnath is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in India. The Amarnath cave temple is nestled at a height of about 3900 metres above sea level in the laps of the mighty Himalayan Mountain ranges in Jammu and Kashmir.

One of the sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is open for only a particular time of the year, and therefore, during the pilgrimage season, thousands of devotees undertake the yatra to the temple to seek the blessing of the Lord. 

Significance of the temple:

Unlike other Shiva temples where you have statues or lingam, at the Amarnath cave temple, the lingam is formed naturally from the melting ice. As per Hindu beliefs, the Lingam formation is a representation of Lord Shiva’s presence in the temple. Along with the Shivling, you can also see two more ice formations at the temple, which are believed to be Goddess Parvati, and Lord Shiva’s son, Lord Ganesha. 

Amarnath temple history:

It is believed that the temple was first discovered by a shepherd named Buta Malik, who found the cave in the mountains. According to the legends, the shepherd met a saint in the mountain who gave him a bag full of coal. 

When he came home and opened the bag, it had gold coins inside instead of coal. Overwhelmed with happiness, he was filled with a sense of gratitude, and to thank the saint, the shepherd went back up to the same spot where he met him, but instead of the man, he saw a Shivling inside a cave. 

This incident led to the discovery of the Amarnath cave, and from then on, it became a popular pilgrimage destination. 

Amarnath Yatra Registration Process 2024:

If you are planning to go to Amarnath yatra in 2024, you must know that the pilgrimage season this year will start on 29th June and end on 19th August. Before you start planning for your journey, you must take one important step – i.e., register yourself for the yatra. 

The registration has started on 15th April. And make sure that you register all the members that you will be travelling with for a hassle-free and smooth pilgrimage experience. The registration process is a mandatory step, and you must strictly follow the guidelines given by the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board for registrations. 

You can complete the registration process online or through any of the deputed bank branch using the eKYC (electronic know your customer) and biometric process in real time. The registration will be done on first-come, first-serve basis. Also, during the registration process you must submit a valid Compulsory Health Certificate (CHS) issued by authorised doctors, and Aadhaar card or any other ID proof issued by the Government of India. 

Here is a step-by-step Amarnath travel guide for online registration –

• Go to the official website of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board – https://jksasb.nic.in/ to register online. 
• Click on the ‘register’ option on the homepage
• Carefully read the dos and don’ts and the instructions before you proceed further with the registration process
• Fill in the necessary details like – name, address, contact number, etc., as required
• Submit the registration form and download the confirmation page. It is better to carry a printout of the same
• Keep the registration confirmation printout safe and carry it with you during the pilgrimage, as you may need it for future reference and verification at the gate.

Amarnath Yatra Registration Fees:

If you look at any Amarnath Yatra travel guide online, you would know that you have to have a certain registration fee and register yourself for the pilgrimage before you start your journey. The registration charges for Amarnath Yatra 2024 are Rs. 150 per person. 

After you pay the fee and complete the registration process, you must mandatorily collect your RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card from the deputed centres in the Jammu and Kashmir division board. You must know that without that card, you would not be given entry inside the control gate at Domel and Chandanwadi. 

Dos and Don'ts during the Amarnath Yatra:

Amarnath is a sacred place, and it holds great religious, spiritual and emotional significance in Hinduism. And, every year, during the pilgrimage season, lakhs of devotees from all over the world come here to seek blessings of the great Lord. So, as a tourist or devotee going on the Amarnath Yatra, you must be careful about the dos and don'ts so that you don't hurt anyone's sentiments and, at the same time, have a pleasant experience visiting the shrine.

Here is a list of dos and don’ts that you must strictly abide by –

Do's at Amarnath:

• Collect your Radio Frequency Identification Card (RFID) from the allocated centres before starting your yatra to the abode of Lord Shiva. 
• Carry identification proof, like an Aadhaar card, driving license, passport or voter ID, to collect your RFID. 
• Make sure to wear and carry appropriate clothing for your journey. Bring woollen and rainwear to keep you protected from the rain and cold. 
• Wear good quality and sturdy shoes that have a solid grip. It should be waterproof and anti-slippery. This will help you easily make your way through the tough terrain. 
• Keep all your important belongings, like your phone, ID card, etc., in a waterproof bag to avoid getting wet when it rains. 
• Inform your loved one back home about your exact plan and the travel dates beforehand. Also, carry emergency contact details in your pocket.

Don’ts at Amarnath:

• Ignore the signboards of high-altitude lines along the way 
• Consume alcohol, smoke or any other intoxicating substance during or before you start your Amarnath Yatra
• Stop at the warning area
• Wear slippers or try any shortcuts. It could be dangerous and even prove fatal
• Litter, pollute or disturb the environment 
• Argue, fight with the army personnel or any other workers 

Best time to visit Amarnath:

The Amarnath caves and temple remain closed for most of the year, and the path leading to the temple is covered under a thick blanket of snow. It is open for public visits only once a year, during the pilgrimage season. The yatra usually begins on the auspicious day of Skandshashti in June or July and ends with Shravan Purnima, which is also celebrated as Raksha Bandhan all over India in August. So, the best time to visit Amarnath would be between June and August. 

So, there you go, you have a complete Amarnath yatra guide, which will hold you in good stead while you plan your trip to holy Amarnath temple. Make sure to pack well and get the registration done in advance so that you don't face any last-minute hassle.