The ultimate goal of life lies in seeking peace in whatever you do. A lot of people resort to the almighty for tranquil while others travel to find their inner selves. There is also a third category of people who do both. Traveling, hiking, and trekking all in one trip to seek the blessings of God sound like a dream but are a real thing. The Amarnath yatra is one of the toughest trails in the world that lead up to a shrine. The astonishing beauty and challenging weather make the trek exciting and fulfilling. For the year 2020, the dates have been released, and the yatra is set to commence on 23rd of June and go on till the 3rd of August.
Here is everything you need to know about this divine yet challenging trek:
1. A tough pilgrimage
Amarnath is another name for Lord Shiva, who is the god of destruction and death. The name of the pilgrimage is apt as “Amar+Nath” means that whoever successfully completes this pilgrimage to the deity will be spiritually immortal. With the latest advancements and the yatra being taken over by SASB (Shri Amarnath Shrine Board), several provisions are being made for the devotees to comfortably complete the pilgrimage.
2. Must-haves on yatra
Make sure you carry along a heavy woollen jacket, a raincoat/umbrella, woollen socks, a support stick, a first aid kit, and a water bottle to survive the dramatic weather conditions.
3. Yatra base camps
The route to the holy cave shrine is so big that the pilgrimage is spread in two phases. The base camp for the yatra is set at two locations Pahalgam and Baltal in Kashmir. Both these places are exceptionally beautiful with the most serene views of the majestic Himalayas. The beauty of Kashmir is captivating and cannot be caged in mere words. You have to witness it yourself to truly experience the magnificence of this heavenly place.
4. The shortest route is 14 km long
There are two routes to reach the Amarnath shrine. The shortest route is a 14 km long trail that includes crossing high slopes, steep valleys, and tough climbs. The base camp for this route is Baltal.
The Pahalgam route is the easier one but it is also quite lengthy at 40 km. It is advised for non-natives to take the longer route as the shorter one leads to excessive exertion often resulting in respiratory issues. You can also opt for a helicopter ride to reach the holy shrine.
5. Age eligibility
Although nothing can stop devotes to seek blessings from God, participating in the Amarnath yatra is not permitted for all. Due to tough demographics, only people between the ages of 13 and 75 are allowed to do the pilgrimage.
Conclusion
With Tata Capital travel loans, you can plan your trip to the beautiful valley of Kashmir. Visiting the valley at the same time as the yatra will be an added bonus as you will be able to enjoy the region as well as fulfil your spiritual and religious duties.
