Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath Yatra

The Amarnath Yatra which started on 1st of July is helping to provide a spiritual solace to the hearts and minds of lakhs of pilgrims who are currently making the journey. Despite terror threat, heavy rain and worrying sentiments of the incident which happened in Kedarnath there is no reduction in the zeal and passion of the lakhs of pilgrims. The shrine is about 140km from Srinagar, and the journey to the shrine on foot begins from Chandanwari 16km from Pahalgam. The long and tedious journey to an altitude of 3,888 m is taxing on the body and is why the pilgrims must be physically and mentally fit to cope with the cold weather. The Yatra takes around three to four days and passes through steep paths across valleys, glaciers and arduous trekking routes.

The journey is being made as comfortable as possible by the State government and various non-profit organizations. The Non-profit organisations have set up food supplies providing langar free of cost to lakhs of pilgrams making their way while also arranging resting tents called pandals which are also available for free to the pilgrims. The state government has deputised thousands of central police and state police personnel, which have been deployed to provide security to pilgrims from potential terror threats. The government is also providing provisions of ponies, supply of power, telecommunication facilities, firewood and setting up of fair price shops. All these facilities provide a comfortable and spiritually fulfilling journey to the pilgrims, where their physical needs are met and they can concentrate only on their spiritual needs.