Magical Places On Your Way To Amarnath -Are you planning a trip to Amarnath Travel? If you are, there’s nothing better to make your vacation memorable than seeing some mesmerising places on the way. Here is a list of places that will not only make your pilgrimage more worthwhile but also help you marvel at the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, from clean lakes and delightful valleys to historic temples and scenic hamlets. So let us explore these hidden treasures en route to the Amarnath!
Baltal is a town in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India. It is situated in the north-eastern region of the state, around 14 kilometres (9 mi) north of Sonamarg. Baltal was previously a halting place for pilgrims travelling to the Amarnath Caves, which has now become a tourist destination. Until 1974 the town was recorded at an elevation of 2,743 m above sea level and is surrounded by mountains.
The Amarnath Cave, situated 12 km from Baltal, can be reached on foot or by pony. This major Hindu pilgrimage site, accessible via Amarnath Yatra via Baltal, houses an ice stalagmite believed to represent Lord Shiva.
Pahalgam is a town and a notified area committee in the Anantnag district of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. It is a well-known tourist spot and serves as a base camp for people who are going to Amarnath Yatra. The town is located at an average elevation of 2,130 metres (6,988 feet) above sea level on the banks of the river Lidder. Beautiful views of the Tibetan Himalayan Plateau glaciers are the highlight, and dense pine and coniferous jungle make it even more beautiful. There are also various lakes nearby, among them Lake Anjal, where there are rumoured to be some rare fish.
Pahalgam has a club of adventure sports which provides facilities for trekking, rock climbing, river rafting, and skiing. This town has magical places and something to offer you for everybody and is worth a visit while travelling to the Amarnath Yatra via Pahalgam.
If it is the beauty, given a chance to visit Sheshnag Lake, get it! It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and receives water from springs of the Amarnath Mountain. The lake is crystal clear and is surrounded by snow-coated mountains. It’s a great place for picnics and camping, and if you’re feeling brave, you can even take a dip!
Sonamarg is a town in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Located in the Himalayas at 9,000 feet (2,743 metres) above sea level. The name Sonamarg derives from two words—“Son,” meaning gold, and “Marg,” meaning a meadow or open space. The town is a touristic location which serves as the gateway to Amarnath Cave despite its scenic beauty.
Sonamarg is around 100 kilometres (62 mi) Amarnath Yatra from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, on the Amarnath Yatra. The town is accessible by road as well as by air. Hotels and guest houses are spread all over the area for Sonamarg visitors. Summers in Sonamarg are cool and alluring, while winters are cold. June to September is the ideal time to visit Sonamarg, when the weather is pleasant.
There is no shortage of sightseeing opportunities and things to do in Sonamarg. Key tourist spots in the area consist of glaciers, alpine meadows, lakes, waterfalls and mountains. Other activities such as trekking, horse riding, and fishing are available for tourists visiting Sonamarg.
The Martand Sun Temple, or Martand Mandir, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity in Hinduism. King Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty built it in the 8th century CE in the area of Mattan, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Martand Sun Temple was one of the largest temples in ancient India. It was built with sandstone and had a pyramidal shape with five stalls. The temple's principal shrine was at the top of its structure and housed an image of Surya. There were also some smaller shrines with idols of other Hindu gods like Vishnu, Shiva and Lakshmi.
In the 14th century CE, Sikandar Butshikan, the ruler of Kashmir, desecrated the Martand Sun Temple. Devotees can still see some preserved fragments of the temple today.
Kokernag Botanical Garden is one of the popular tourist spots in Kashmir. Located in Kokernag town of Anantnag district, the garden covers 70 hectares and is home to many species of trees, sshrubs, medicinal herbs and grasses as well as several endemic and endangered plant species. There is a lovely lake there in the garden which houses various forms of aquatic life, making it even more charming. Travellers to Amarnath Yatra from Mumbai usually include Kokernag Botanical Garden as one of the mandatory destination in order to be able to witness Kashmir’s scenic beauty before embarking for the sacred Amarnath Cave.
Mattan Temple: It is one of the popular holly temples in Hindu's religion. The temple stands in the town of Mattan in the Kashmir Valley, India, and devotees dedicate it to Lord Shiva, one of the principal Hindu gods. Thousands of pilgrims visit Mattan to pay obeisance at the temple and seek blessings from Lord Shiva every year.
Devotees believe that the Mattan Temple is over two thousand years old, and the Pandavas, the protagonists of the Indian epic Mahabharata, constructed it. They visited Mattan on the way to the Himalayas, during the Atimahabharat days. Lord Shiva appeared in front of them and blessed them with triumph in the oncoming war with their adversaries. The Pandavas subsequently raised a temple at Mattan in memory of their communion with Shiva.
Template:NPOV-section Aishmuqam Shrine is one of the holiest and most venerable shrines in Kashmir Valley for Hindus. It is 3,888 m (12,756 ft) in altitude and lies north of the Pir Panjal Range, which is part of the Himalayan Ranges, in the Aishmuqam town of the Anantnag district of the Jammu and Kashmir state in India. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, serves as a halt on the path to the historic Amarnath Cave. Maharaja Gulab Singh constructed the Aishmuqam Shrine in 1855.
The temple features a sanctum with a colossal idol of Lord Shiva at its center. There are several other minor shrines and small temples in the complex, dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses.
The Amarnath cave is an open field for pilgrims and is located at a height of 3,888 m in the Himalayan ranges of Jammu and Kashmir. Pilgrims consider the cave one of the most sacred Hindu shrines because Lord Shiva resides there. Hundreds of thousands undertake the treacherous journey every year to Amarnath cave to worship Lord Shiva.
The Kherbabwami Asthapan is a holy spring on the way to Amarnath cave. Pilgrims believe that a dip in the spring will cleanse sin and bring good luck. The Asthapan also serves as a picnic spot, where many devotees pause to refresh themselves and enjoy the scenic landscape while undertaking the Amarnath Yatra from Pune.
During the Amarnath Yatra, pilgrims must visit the magical places that dot the route. Right from the gorgeous lakes of Sonamarg to the ancient temples in Pahalgam, you will get endless chances to observe amazing sights and witness amazing views along your way. Whether you choose to go cistern crawling alone (not recommended) or join a tour group, it’s definitely one you’ll never forget. Whichever way you go, be sure to work in these magical places in Amarnath into your itinerary for a transformative sojourn in this enchanted land.
You cannot help but feel a divine magnetism that has brought millions to these sacred lands through the ages. The fables, myths and legends that are connected to the Amarnath Yatra only make it even more mystical. Also, from the tale of Lord Shiva revealing the secret of immortality to his consort Parvati to the stories of saintly sages who fearlessly sought refuge in this sanctum, every myth weaves into a vast canvas of devotion and spirituality. With Epic Yatra, you can embark on extraordinary journey and experience the magic, mystery, and blessings of the Amarnath Yatra firsthand.