First Image of Baba Barfani: Witness the 8-Foot Shivling, Offering Darshan from Home; Amarnath Yatra Begins June 29 for 52 Days
The first image of the revered Baba Barfani has surfaced from the holy cave in Anantnag district of Kashmir. The ice shivling stands approximately 8 feet tall, drawing devotees from across the country for its darshan and worship.
The pilgrimage is set to commence on June 29th and will continue for approximately 52 days, culminating on the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, August 29th.
Registration for the pilgrimage began on April 15th, with the process for obtaining necessary medical certificates underway. Indians aged between 13 and 70 years can undertake the Amarnath Yatra, ensuring a broad spectrum of devotees can participate in this sacred journey.
Online and Offline Registration for Travelers
Registration for the pilgrimage can be done both online and offline starting from April 15th. For online registration, travelers can log in to the Shrine Board’s official website. If opting for registration through the mobile application, they must download the Shri Amarnath Yatra app.
Additionally, offline registration can be completed at designated branches of Punjab National Bank, SBI, YES Bank, and Jammu and Kashmir Bank.
How to Reach: Two Routes for Pilgrimage
Pahalgam Route: This route takes approximately 3 days to reach the cave, but it’s relatively straightforward. The journey starts from Pahalgam, with the first stop being Chandanwari, about 16 km away from the base camp. The ascent begins from here. After climbing for about three kilometers, travelers reach Pissu Top. From there, the journey continues towards Sheshnag, about 9 km away. On the second day, pilgrims proceed from Sheshnag to Panchtarni, roughly 14 km away. The cave is just 6 km from Panchtarni.
Baltal Route: If time is limited, pilgrims can opt for the Baltal route for quicker access to Baba Amarnath’s darshan. It’s a shorter route, about 14 km in total, but it’s quite steep, posing challenges for elderly pilgrims. The path is filled with rocky terrain and risky slopes.
Possibility of Accommodating 600,000 Pilgrims, Roads Widened This Time
Last time, around 450,000 devotees visited. This year, the expectation is to accommodate 600,000 pilgrims. Due to narrow passages and increased footfall, more arrangements are being made. Catering, sanitation, and health check-ups will be provided along the entire route. Two fully equipped base camp hospitals are being set up with oxygen booths, ICU beds, X-ray machines, sonography machines, and a liquid oxygen plant.
The route from Pahalgam to the cave, previously 46 km long with passages 3 to 4 feet wide, and the Baltal route, 2 feet wide, are now widened by 14 feet. As per the Border Road Organization’s instructions, the 14 km route from Baltal to the cave now ranges from 7 to 12 feet wide. This includes a significant motorable road. Helicopter services will also be available.
On November 6, 2023, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) convoy of vehicles was dispatched for the Amarnath Cave. A video of this event has been shared on BRO’s Twitter handle. BRO has organized the widening of the Amarnath Road from Sangam Base Camp to the cave and Baltal, extending up to Sangam Top. This initiative aims to reduce travel time for pilgrims undertaking the sacred journey.
Key Points to Remember During Travel
When traveling, ensure you have your medical certificate, 4 passport-sized photographs, Aadhaar card, RFID card, and travel application form. For physical well-being, practice walking 4 to 5 kilometers daily as a warm-up.
Engage in breathing exercises and activities like yoga. Carry woolen clothes, a raincoat, a trekking stick, a water bottle, and a bag of essential medicines during your journey.
