Shri Amarnathji Cave
The Yatra trek through the mountains of south Kashmir Himalayas to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji is made available only in the months of summer to pay obeisance. In the month of Shravan (July – August) the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji has the devout flock, where the image of Lord Shiva, in the form of a Lingam, is formed naturally of ice – stalagmite, and which waxes and wanes with the moon.
Shri Amarnath Yatra is for a specific period/ duration, commencing on an announced date, usually on, the auspicious day of Skandshasthi as per Hindu Calendar, and shall conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandan). Registration for Shri Amarnathji Yatra often starts on 1st March of every calendar year.
The Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji is managed by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which was constituted by an Act of the Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature in 2000 with His Excellency the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir as its ex-officio Chairman.
In view of the procedures involved, Shri Amarnathji Yatra Registration process is to be followed well ahead of the commencement of the Yatra by adhering to a defined Step-By-Step Registration Procedure for Shri Amarnath Yatra.
Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has also introduced ‘Group Registration’ since last year to facilitate registration of those intending pilgrims who want to travel in a Group comprising relatives, friends or neighbors. The Group Registration is available for an announced period.
Intending Yatri Groups can register as per the Guidelines for Group Registration for Shri Amarnath Yatra issued by SASB.
SASB has mechanism in place to enable Registration of NRI/ ex-India pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra. This facility has been specially established in view of the fact that a large number of devotees living abroad undertake this annual Yatra.
Every year Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board’s Sub Committee advises the SASB regarding the exact schedule including the duration of Shri Amarnath Yatra keeping in view various factors like the Hindu calendar, weather conditions, clearing the trek of snow etc. The number of days once decided by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, the Yatra schedule is strictly followed from the commencement till the Yatra culmination on Raksha Bandhan each year.
The present carrying capacity of the tracks, availability of infrastructure in the Yatra area and keeping in view all other relevant considerations it was decided that 7500 pilgrims would be allowed to Register for Shri Amarnath Yatra – 2018 per day per route.
This is excluding Yatris who would travel by Helicopters on either route to Panjtarni.