Popular posts from this blog

Jai Bhole..Shri Amarnath Ji Darshan

Image
31.07. 2025 The bhandara management started vacating the inmates as early as 5 am. We were yet to know the weather condition outside. It appeared to be pretty cold. Many people have already started towards the holy cave. I saw Sanghamitra is getting ready. I too started packing the bag and got ready. People who slept nearby my side had already left.  We came outside of the tent. Sanghamitra then told me that she took the medical help last evening, as her blood oxygen levels were low. She had a bad headache and gastric problems.  Although I was not very confident that we could reach up to the holy cave, my actual plan was to stay at Panchatarmi and have Darshan the next day. Fortunately, Sanghamitra’s health was better that morning, as she wanted to have darshan. We tried to hire horses but only found one horseman, and already he has committed to some other yatris. At last we found a horseman who agreed to drop us in Holy Cave for Rs 2500 per person. The route was slushy, and i...
Read more

The descent to Baltal

Image
We reached the place where we kept the mobile phones. After taking the pictures and videos, we came out around 11:45 am. After having some food, we decided to reach Baltal, which is approx. 16 KM from the shrine. We hired two horses and started from the shrine premises by 12:30 pm. It was a hot and sunny day. The route given to horses seems to be very steep. Sitting on a horse on a steep slope needs a lot of care. I could not take many pics while returning. The pedestrian route was well marked, and we could see the beeline of people going towards Baltal.  We could see the camp of defence forces. The helipad and their facilities in the small plains. After climbing down almost a km, we started going upwards again. Another steep climb to the top of the mountain. After covering a distance of 6 km we had a break for tea. We found a roadside shop, where Sanghamitra had magi and I took tea. Shahnawaz, the owner of the horse, also took a break to have some food.  We again proceeded to...
Read more

To Pahalgam

Image
28/07/2025 We woke up with a mind to get ready for the dream journey to Amarnath. Packed two backpacks with essentials for the trek to Holy Cave. Considering the excess weight, we left many things at the hotel where we stayed in Srinagar. After taking an early lunch from a Bangla restaurant near our hotel, we left to Panta Chowk at around 10 am. It took hardly 30 minutes to reach Panta Chowk.  With a lot of enthusiasm, we entered the camp area, where the security people greeted us with warmth.   It was around 11 am, we were only two waiting for the bus at the parking slot. Around 1145 more people started arriving. Vandebharat Train from Katra arrives at Srinagar Station at 11 am. From the station to the yatra camp it takes hardly 10 mns by bus and the administration arranges a free shuttle bus service from the station to the camp.  Two JnK Government Roadways bus operated on these days . One to Baltal and another one to Pahalgam. The bus ticket to Pahalgam was approx...
Read more