The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimages that offers the devotees the spiritual growth they are looking for. It is known for its naturally formed Shiva Lingam. Many tour operators offer the best pilgrimage packages for this spiritual journey. The journey is full of challenges. However, the spiritual growth it offers is incomparable. The Amarnath Yatra is physically demanding but offers an unforgettable experience for the pilgrims. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this place is visited by a large number of devotees around the world. However, most of them are unaware of the things that they should keep in mind during their Amarnath Yatra tour. If you, too, are planning for this yatra, the following dos and don’ts will make it safe and stress-free:
Some of the Do’s of this yatra are as follows:
You must be in good health if you are undertaking the Amarnath Yatra. If you are weak or are suffering from any medical condition, you must avoid this journey. It is best to take a walk for 4 to 5 km on a daily basis. You should start this routine at least a month before starting your journey. The Amarnath Cave Temple is located at a high altitude, so you need to increase your body’s oxygen efficiency before undertaking this pilgrimage.
Make sure to practice yoga, pranayama, and breathing exercises before going on the Amarnath trip. This will help build your stamina required to complete this yatra. It will also help in handling Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and minimize the risk of any emergency during the yatra. Prepare for this spiritual journey with deep breathing techniques, lower body strengthening, and cardiovascular exercises. However, you should start these exercises at least 2 months before this pilgrimage.
You should also dress appropriately during the Amarnath yatra tour. If you are a woman, you should wear a pant-shirt, salwar kameez, or a tracksuit while going to this place. The best would be to wear multiple layers during the yatra. As this is a spiritual place, you need to wear respectful clothes that cover your body.
Make sure not to wear a sari as it will pose many problems for you. Pregnant ladies should not undertake this spiritual journey as it will be extremely risky for them. Whether you are a man or a woman, you must wear trekking shoes before starting this journey. They are extremely easy and convenient for rainy weather. Apart from that, you must also carry a raincoat with you as the weather in this region is highly unpredictable.
If you are undertaking this journey in a group, do not leave your group at any cost. The members of a group can support each other during the yatra. You should always keep an eye on the members of your group. Get their contact information and contact the police if any person goes missing. If you leave the group, you will be separated from the group members. This will make your Amarnath tour more difficult and stressful.
You must respect nature during your pilgrimage. Make sure to avoid plastic use and littering during the yatra. You should also not pollute the environment of this region in any way. Undertake this pilgrimage with a religious mindset and stay away from throwing garbage and plucking off leaves and flowers. Besides, it is advisable to use the bathrooms at the camps and avoid defecating in the open area. You should carry reusable water bottles instead of single-use water bottles.
It is important to carry mandatory documents during the Amarnath Yatra. You must submit them to the concerned authority. Some of the documents that you need to carry during this journey include a health certificate, a photo ID, a yatra permit, passport-size photos, etc. Pilgrims who do not possess them are not allowed to travel to this holy place.
Make sure to carry your first-aid kit while undertaking this pilgrimage. This is one of the important things you should do before going on your pilgrimage. A few things that you must keep in this kit include pain relievers, antiseptic creams, medicines for common medical conditions, a digital thermometer, etc.
It is also essential to carry a polyfill jacket during the Amarnath Yatra. These jackets are lightweight and offer warmth in the winter. The best thing is that they are easy to pack. They take up less space and are ideal to use during the yatra. These jackets are not only the best for the colder nights but also suitable for the day if the temperature drops.
There is an age limit for the yatra. Thus, you must consider it while planning for this pilgrimage. As this spiritual journey requires you to go to the higher altitude regions, children who are below 15 years of age and people who are above 75 years should not undertake the yatra. The body takes much time to adjust to the higher altitude region. Thus, you need to consider your age before undertaking this spiritual journey.
During your Amarnath Yatra, you should take light snacks as they reenergize you without causing digestive issues. Remember, this journey involves trekking to challenging terrain. Thus, it takes a long time to complete it. Hence, keeping light and energy-boosting snacks is important during the yatra. If you are on a pilgrimage tour to Amaranth, you can consider carrying a lot of items such as roasted makhana , peanut bars, jiggery, and chikki.
These things keep your stomach full and offer you the required energy for the pilgrimage. Apart from light snacks, you should also carry fruits such as bananas and apples for the yatra. Most pilgrims feel dehydrated during the Amarnath tour. Thus, carrying glucose powder and ORS sachets is also useful to keep you hydrated as well as energized. Pilgrims should avoid spicy food and eat at regular intervals. Pack the eatables in ziplock bags or airtight containers. This will keep the food hygienic and fresh. If you eat light food, you will not lose your stamina. It will also help you prevent altitude sickness.
It is also advisable to keep information about your group during the tour. You must make a list of all your group members and write their full names, genders, age, blood group, contact numbers, passport numbers, and Aadhaar card numbers, etc on paper. Apart from their personal details, you must keep information about their medical conditions. It is also important to assign a leader for your group. You must designate a place where all group members will meet in case anybody gets separated or lost.
Another thing that is required is to share your travel dates, route, and accommodation details with your members. You should carry digital copies of all slips, hotel bookings, and helicopter tickets. It is also advisable to keep a phone with you. Save all the important numbers in it. Use the phone to share important information to the family of each member. Do not forget to carry a first aid kit during the journey. It is also advisable to wear clothes of the same color so that you can easily identify the members of your group. Apart from that, you should also maintain discipline during this pilgrimage.
Pilgrims must abide by the guidelines issued by the shrine board. This will help them experience a safe pilgrimage to this sacred spot. One of the important things is to get a valid permit for the yatra. Those who do not have the required permit can’t undertake this spiritual journey. Thus, it is essential to get a permit before starting your pilgrimage. You should also carry a fitness certificate for the yatra. You also need to follow the correct route to reach the Amarnath cave. Pilgrims can take either the Baltal or Pahalgam route to undertake the yatra. Avoid taking a shortcut to the Amarnath cave, as it will lead you nowhere.
Make sure to walk slowly on the first day. Also, take breaks and drink a sufficient amount of water while trekking to the Amarnath cave. Apart from it, you should also keep important things with you, such as a walking stick, a flashlight, rain gear, and woolen clothes. Follow the instructions of the yatra officials to make it less complex and more meaningful. You should also not consume tobacco and alcohol during this spiritual journey. Apart from that, avoid eating non-vegetarian food during the journey. Visit the nearest camp if you experience nausea, dizziness, or chest pain.
Here are some of the don’ts of Amarnath Yatra:
You will have a tough time trekking on the terrain that leads to the Amarnath cave. They are steep, making it difficult to trek on them. Apart from the rugged terrains, the weather in this region is highly unpredictable. Also, do not trek at night when the visibility is very poor.
Make sure to ignore any kind of medical advice during the pilgrimage. If you experience any heart-related problems, respiratory problems, or high blood pressure, see a physician immediately. You should also not ignore the requirement of a health certificate issued by SASB. Also, make sure not to hide your medical conditions from the doctors at the camps.
You should not stop in the areas where you see the warning signs. The authorities place these signs to provide safety to the pilgrims. These zones are prone to falling rocks, steep cliffs, avalanches, etc. If you ignore them, you will put your life at risk. Thus, you should move as directed by the authority officials. Also, do not take photos near these places, as this can be dangerous to you. Do not take rest in these zones even if the weather is quite pleasant. Remember, weather conditions in the hilly regions can change rapidly. Thus, stay away from the zones that have signs such as “Danger”, “No Halt Zone”, Do not Stop”, etc.
You should not undertake the yatra without registration. It will lead to penalties and a life-threatening situation. So the pilgrims should register themselves before going on the journey. This will provide them with safety during their Amarnath tour. Every pilgrim must get a yatra permit, which he should keep with him at all times. This permit allows the pilgrims to attend medical camps, emergency services, and free kitchens during the yatra.
If you do not have the registration, your health details are not recorded. Also, you will not have access to essential facilities, including rescue and medical aid. Undertaking the yatra without the registration is a violation of the guidelines issued by the board. In the absence of registration, the authorities can stop you at many checkpoints. Registration of this yatra also includes a compulsory health certificate, which confirms that you are medically fit to trek in higher altitude regions. You should also avoid shortcuts while undertaking the yatra and follow the prescribed routes for the pilgrimage.
You should also not wear any inappropriate clothes during the Amarnath Journey. Dressing modestly shows your respect for this religious site. The Amarnath Yatra is a holy pilgrimage, so you should not wear revealing clothes here. Apart from that, you should also avoid wearing light clothing during the journey, as this region is extremely cold. The temperatures drop to the freezing level at night. You should also avoid wearing sandals and fashionable shoes here. Make sure to pack woolen clothes, trekking shoes, and full-length pants during the yatra. It will save you from the cold weather of this region.
This yatra is a spiritual journey that offers spiritual awakening to the pilgrims. However, you must plan your pilgrimage wisely. Go through the dos and don’ts mentioned above and experience a stress-free yatra with your friends. If you want to get the divine experience of this sacred spot, choose the best pilgrimage tour package by contacting the renowned travel agencies.