India is home to plenty of spiritual pilgrimages like the Chota Char Dham Yatra, Char Dham Yatra, and the Jyotirlinga Yatra. However, one pilgrimage that stands out from the rest is the Amarnath Yatra. It is one of the most revered pilgrimages in Hinduism, with many devotees believing that Hindus should at least set out on this pilgrimage once in their lifetime. The yatra will commence from July 3, 2025 and will end on August 9, 2025. During this roughly one month period, millions of devotees will visit the holy site of Amarnath.
Amarnath Yatra 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
The Spiritual Significance Of Amarnath
The Amarnath Cave is situated in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Despite being located at an altitude of 12,756 ft, the cave is one of the most visited religious sites in India. The cave houses a naturally formed stalagmite formation resembling a shivalingam – the holy symbol of Lord Shiva. Many Hindus believe that Lord Shiva revealed the many secrets of life and origin to Parvati inside this cave.
During the roughly 45-day to 1-month time period in July and August, the stalagmite formation reaches its peak as summer melts the ice. The stalagmite formation then slowly starts to wane after this period. This time period coincides with the holy Hindu month of Shravan. It is the time when Hindus observe religious fasts, engage in meditation, and conduct elaborate rituals. Shravan is also the month of several Hindu festivals across the country.
Amarnath Yatra 2025 Registration Process
Steps For Amarnath Yatra 2025 Registration Online
- Visit the official Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) website.
- Click on the registration link for Amarnath Yatra.
- Carefully read all the instructions and move on to ‘Register’.
- Enter your personal details carefully and upload the required documents, including passport-sized photographs and compulsory health certificate (CHC).
- Enter the one time password (OTP) you receive on your phone number.
- Make the required payment of approximately INR 220 as the registration fee.
- Once the payment is successful, download your Amarnath Yatra Registration Permit from the portal.
Steps For Amarnath Yatra 2025 Registration Offline
- If you wish to register yourself in an offline manner, you must visit approved registration centers in Jammu (Vaishnavi Dham, Mahajan Hall, Panchayat Bhawan) or the state-wise designated bank branches.
- You’ll be required to collect the token slips usually three before the chosen yatra date from these centers.
- After collecting your token slip, you’ll be required to visit Saraswati Dham in Jammu for a medical checkup and formal registration. Visit the RFID Card Center in Jammu the same day you get your medical checkup done to collect your permit.
The offline mode of registration is largely convenient only for people residing in Jammu or nearby areas as it involves physically visiting a few offices in Jammu. Those who are not from here will have to sort out their travel plans, reach Jammu in advance, and then go through the offline registration.
For group registrations of Amarnath Yatra, the SASB has issued separate guidelines on their website where pilgrims will be required to download and fill out a form and then send it via post to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. Group registrations will begin from April 14, 2025 and end on May 31, 2025.
Amarnath Yatra 2025: How To Reach And Routes
Air Route: The Srinagar International Airport is the closest airport here. From the airport, you can hire a cab to reach either Sonmarg (97.8 km) or Pahalgam (89.8 km).
Rail Route: Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the closest major railway station to the Amarnath Cave (352 km). From the railway station, you can hire a cab or take a bus to reach Pahalgam, Baltal, or Sonmarg.
Road Route: By road, you must reach either Pahalgam, Baltal or Sonmarg. These towns are well connected via roads to other major cities in Jammu & Kashmir as well as North India.
Note that, there are only two routes to reach the Amarnath Cave. Baltal (near Sonmarg) and Pahalgam are two starting points for the Amarnath Yatra 2025. Here are the two routes:
- Jammu – Pahalgam – Chandanwari – Pissu Top – Sheshnag – Panjtarni – Amarnath Cave: This 32-km trek passes through lush green meadows, forest trails, and riverbanks
- Jammu – Baltal – Domain – Barari – Amarnath Cave: This route is shorter, at only 15 km long. However, it is steeper and requires more physical preparedness for the trek
Amarnath Yatra 2025 Helicopter Booking
You can avail of helicopter services to reach the Amarnath Cave. This is a great option for traveling with an elder or someone with mobility issues. While the prices for the helicopter rides have not been officially disclosed yet, the ride takes only about 15 to 20 minutes.
Here are the two routes and the operators:
Baltal Route: Neelgrath-Panjtarni-Neelgrath
- Global Vectra Helicorp Limited
- Consortium of M/s Arrow Air Craft Pvt. Ltd
Pahalgam Route: Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam
- Consortium of M/s Arrow Air Craft Pvt. Ltd
Tips For Participating In The Amarnath Yatra 2025
- Carry all essential documents with you, like the Amarnath Yatra Permit, Aadhar Card, valid CHC, RFID Card, and recent passport-sized photographs.
- Practice walking daily at least a few weeks before setting out on the pilgrimage.
- Drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water daily for at least a few weeks before the pilgrimage.
- Carry enough winter clothing as well as heavy-duty trekking shoes.
- Follow the necessary guidelines while on the trek, and do not move away from the assigned trek route.
Summing Up
The Amarnath Yatra will commence from July 3, 2025 and will end on August 9, 2025. During this time, the pilgrimage will see thousands of pilgrims visiting the holy cave. The registrations for the pilgrimage will be conducted in both online and offline modes, ensuring maximum convenience for pilgrims all over India. If you too are planning to take this pilgrimage, make sure to keep a tab on the latest updates on the SASB website.
FAQs
Is Amarnath Yatra Difficult?
Yes, the Amarnath Yatra is considered to be a physically demanding pilgrimage. Due to its high altitude and challenging terrain, the trek is difficult. However, with enough physical preparation and balanced food and water intake, you can complete this pilgrimage.
Is Amarnath Tough Or Kedarnath?
Both the Amarnath and Kedarnath pilgrimages are difficult in their own way. This is because both of them are high-altitude pilgrimages involving rough terrain.
Why Is Amarnath So Special?
The Amarnath pilgrimage is considered to be special as the Shivalingam inside the Amarnath Cave is made of ice that waxes and wanes according to the season. Moreover, the pilgrimage is also considered to be special as it is believed that Lord Shiva unveiled the secrets of life and eternity to his consort Parvati in this cave.
