When my family members suggested that we go on a pilgrimage to the Amaranth cave, I was thrilled. Here was a spot that would satisfy the dual urges of going on a pilgrimage and I could also trek the high altitudes of the Himalayas.

I geared myself up for the yatra (pilgrimage) by putting all my woolens in the backpack. We reached Jammu by train and from there took a coach to Pahalgam. The road meandered along the Beas River at the bottom of the gorges as the bus climbed up the steep slopes towards Kud, Batote, Patnitop and then beyond across the Jawahar tunnel towards Quazigund, Khanbal and then finally Pahalgam.

The weather turned from pleasantly cool at Jammu to chillingly cold as we came to the upper reaches. Coming down in to the Lidder valley at Pahalgam was a like coming into a meadow. We stayed overnight at Pahalgam, that itself has a small Gourishankar temple dedicated to Shiva to worship whom we were making our way up towards the Amaranth Cave.

A challenging and difficult trek lay ahead of us before we could reach the shrine. We started the next day fortified with a good breakfast and packed lunch in our backpacks. Some of us opted to hire a pony for the ride uphill towards Baisaran on the route to Chandanwari. We stayed put at a camp resort in Chandanwari and had the first warm meal (after the morning’s breakfast).

The next day’s trek of about twelve Kms from Chandanwari to the Amarnath Yatra cave was the more difficult part. On the way we witnessed a unique phenomenon of nature where we saw a seven peaked mountain that is named Sheshnag for its resemblance with a cobra’s hood. There are some who had come to Chandanwari from Srinagar which is another starting point for the yatra to the Amarnath Shrine. The greenery along the route is lush with pine and other coniferous tress dotting the hillsides. Had it not been for the objective of going towards a pilgrimage spot, this would have been any other trekkers delight. You get the best of both worlds when you go on an Amarnath trek. Some come to Chandanwari by bus, but we decided to trek it out adding one more day to our trekking experience.

In addition to the beauty of greenery where you see various shades of green you are accompanied in your trek by gurgling streams and rivulets that make their way downhill as you may yours uphill. Make My Trip

Normally you would not be in a position to reach the Amarnath Yatra by Helicopter cave on the second day of the trek, so we put up at a place named Wavjan. From Wavjan onwards you are in deep Himalayan country. You see glaciers in front of you with snow capped peaks forming the perfect backdrop for the Sheshnag lake.

The third day we climbed on from Sheshnag to reach the Mahagunas pass at a height of about 14000 feet. From there begins the descent to the cave where icy winds bite your face. When we finally reached the Amarnath Shrine we worshiped the Ice lingam (stalagmite) which is the object of worship of the hundreds of pilgrims who make the trek every day. Best tour operators in India

After worshiping at the shrine we made our way back to Pahalgam, feeling fulfilled and blessed. Best India tours