Amarnath Yatra 2024: Opening Date, Registration Process, Routes, Documents Needed, and All You Need to Know!

Amarnath Yatra 2024: The Holy Amarnath Yatra attracts lakhs of Shiva devotees every year. Pilgrims visit the site during the Shravan Mela (the month of July-August). Shravan Month is the only time in the year when Amarnath Cave is accessible to devotees. 

The holy Cave is at an altitude of 3,888m, about 141 km from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Amarnath plays an important role in Hinduism, and it is one of the holiest shrines for the devotees of Lord Shiva. 

Devotees embark on their Amarnath Yatra with a ritual called “Pratham Pujan” to seek the divine blessings of Baba Amarnath. The “Shiva Lingam” in Amarnath Dham forms because water dipping from the Top of the Cave freezes. Shiva Lingam reaches its maximum height between July and August, and ice caps around the cave start melting. According to religious beliefs, the Shiva Lingam grows and shrinks with the moon’s phases, reaching its height during the summer festival.

Date And Amarnath Yatra 2024 Registration Process 

The Amarnath Yatra 2024 begins on 1 July 2024 and ends on 19 August 2024. Devotees need to register for this 52-day holy Amarnath Yatra. Registration will start on 15 April 2024 through Punjab National Bank, YES Bank, and Jammu and Kashmir Bank branches. 

Guidelines for Amarnath Yatra 2024

To register for Amarnath Yatra 2024, you can choose Offline Registration and Online Registration. 

First, you can get a permit from approved banks and registration centers. Second, you can register online. By visiting the official website of the Amarnath Shrine Board, you can download the form and attach all the necessary documents to it. You can also apply for a permit on the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB). 

It is compulsory to complete the registration formalities and submit proper documents. 

• No pilgrim below the age of 13 years and older than 70 years is allowed for Amarnath Yatra 2024. 
• One needs a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) issued by an authorized doctor and hospital of your state. 
• Pregnant ladies for more than 6 weeks of pregnancy are not allowed for Amarnath Yatra 2024. 
• With one Mobile number only 4 people can register. 
• All pilgrims must complete Amarnath Yatra 2024 Registration Process using eKYC authentication in real-time. 
• Ensure your photo is in .JPEG or .JPG format and does not exceed 1MB in size.

Amarnath Yatra 2024 Registration Fees 

Shri Amarnath Yatra Registration Fees is Rs 150 per person. You don’t have to pay any other charge for the registration process. 

How to Register for Amarnath Yatra 2024

For offline registration for Amarnath Yatra 2024, pilgrims need to visit the designated banks to complete registration using eKYC authentication in real time. You must carry documents, including a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC), original identity proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, etc), and photographs. 

For online registration, pilgrims can visit the official website of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board to fill out an online form. The online registration is based on OTP authentication. One has to upload all the required documents and verify OTP. After successful verification, a payment link shall be sent to the applicant’s registered mobile number or email address. After paying the registration fee, the Amarnath Yatra permit can be downloaded. 

All registered Yatris must collect the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card from the deputed centers in the Jammu and Kashmir division before beginning the journey. No pilgrim can enter the control gate at Domel/Chandanwadi without a valid RFID card. On the SASB website, pilgrims can find the list of designated Bank branches, authorized doctors, and medical institutions along with the CHC format. 

Amarnath Yatra Routes

There are two routes for pilgrims to embark on Amarnath Yatra. Pilgrims can choose between the traditional 48-kilometer Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district or the shorter but steeper 14-kilometer Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

Amarnath Cave is approximately 48 Km away from Pahalgam, the start point of Yatra. Devotees start from base camp at Pahalgam and reach Chandanwari after traveling 16 km. Then from Chandanwari a 13 Km trek to reach Sheshand and a further 4.6 km trek to Panchtarni. From here, a 2 km walk will take you to Amarnath Cave. This route is easier and scenic than the Baltal route. 

Significance of Amarnath Yatra & Amarnath Cave

Once, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva about the secret of immortality. Lord Shiva did not want to tell her the secret of immortality, but on the insistence of Goddess Parvati, he agreed to it. He decided to narrate “Amar Katha” to Goddess Parvati and for this, he chose the secluded and peaceful Amarnath cave. To reach that cave, Lord Shiva also abandoned his five elements. To prevent Nandi, Karthikeya, Ganesh or any other animal or bird from entering that cave, a fire was lit around the cave.

After that, the story of immortality started. Mahadev started narrating the story, but Goddess Parvati fell asleep during that time. Two pigeons were listening to that story, and they were cooing. Lord Bholenath felt that Goddess Parvati was listening to that story. When the story ended, Lord Bholenath saw that Goddess Parvati was sleeping, and then a question arose in his mind: who heard the story?

When he looked, he saw that two pigeons were present there. Lord Shiva became angry, so both the pigeons started praying for forgiveness in front of him. Both of them said, O Mahadev! We have heard this story. If you kill us, this story will become untrue; you guide us. Then Lord Shiva said that from today onwards, you will reside here as a symbol of Shiva and Shakti. Since then, the pair of pigeons have achieved immortality. Because of this entire story, that cave is called Amarnath cave. Pilgrims visit this cave to witness the naturally formed Shiva Lingam and seek blessings of Lord Shiva. 

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