Shri Amarnathji Yatra- Important Instructions

April 28, 2014 at 12:11pm

Procedure for Registration of Yatris through designated Branches of Banks.  
1. This year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra will commence on 28th June, 2014, via both the routes Baltal and Pahalgam, and conclude on 10th August, 2014.
2. Advance Registration is compulsory for all intending Pilgrims.
3. Nobody shall be allowed to undertake the Yatra without securing a Yatra Permit which is valid for a specified day and route.
4. Every intending Pilgrim can secure his/ her Yatra Permit from any of the notified Bank Branches (87 of J&K Bank, 300 of Punjab National Bank and 38 of YES Bank) located in various States/UTs of the country.
5. The addresses of the notified Bank Branches which have been authorised to provide Registration are available at Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board’s website: shriamarnathjishrine.com.
6. The Registration for the Yatra 2014, through all the nominated Bank Branches will commence from 1st March, 2014.
 7. For Registration/ obtaining Yatra Permit, an intending Yatri shall have to submit filled-in prescribed Application Form and Compulsory Health Certificate issued by the Authorised Doctor/ Medical Institution.
 8. The State-wise lists of Doctors/ Medical Institutions authorised to issue the prescribed Compulsory Health Certificate are available at Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board’s website, shriamarnathjishrine.com.
9. The formats of the Application Form and Compulsory Health Certificate are also available at Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board’s website, shriamarnathjishrine.com.  http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com/
 10. For Yatra 2014, Compulsory Health Certificate issued only after 1st February, 2014, would be valid for the registration purposes.
 11. An intending Yatri will be required to pay Rs.50/- as Registration fee.
 12. An intending Yatri who wishes to travel by Helicopter will not be required to separately register for the Yatra.
13. A Yatri who travels by Helicopter will be required to submit the prescribed Compulsory Health Certificate at the time of boarding the Helicopter.
14. All Yatris would be allowed to embark on his/ her Yatra only on the day and from the route for which he/ she has been registered.

Do's and Don'ts 
 DO's

1. Prepare for the Yatra by achieving a high level of Physical Fitness. You are advised to start at atleast a month prior to the Yatra at least a 4-5km Morning/Evening walk. For Improving the oxygen efficiency of your body, you should start doing deep breathing exercises and Yoga, particularly Pranayam. 
2. Your journey shall involve trekking across high mountains, facing strong cold winds. You must carry (i) adequate woolen clothing; (ii) a small umbrella (preferably one which is tied with an elastic band around your head and supported by a strap around the chin); (iii) windcheater; (iv) raincoat; (v) waterproof trekking shoes; (vi) torch; (vii) walking stick; (viii) cap (preferably a monkey cap); (ix) gloves; (x) jacket; (xi) woolen socks; (xii) trousers (preferably a waterproof pair). These items are essential as the climate is highly unpredictable and changes abruptly from sunny weather to rain and snow. The temperature can sometimes abruptly fall to 5 degrees Celcius or lower.
3. For Ladies: saree is not a suitable dress for the Yatra. Salwar Kameez, pant-shirt or a track suit will be better. Ladies who are more than 6 week pregnant shall not be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.
4. Keeping in view the tough nature of the trek, children below 13 year in age and elderly persons above the age of 75 years shall not be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage.
5. It would be better if the porter / horses / ponies carrying your luggage travel just in front or behind you, as you may suddenly need something from your baggage.
6. During the Yatra from Pahalgam/Baltal onwards, you should keep spare clothes/ eatables in a suitable water proof bag to ensure against their getting wet.
7. Carry a water bottle, dry fruits, roasted grams/channa, toffees/gur (jiggery), chocolates, etc for use during the journey.
8. Carry some cold cream/Vaseline/sunscreen to protect your hands /face against sunburn etc.
9. You should not trek alone. Always travel in a group and ensure that all those comprising the group, walking in front of you or in the rear, always remain in your sight, to ensure against your being separated from them.
10. To enable prompt action being taken in case of any emergency, you should keep in your pocket a note containing the name/addresses/mobile telephone number of a member of your group with whom you are travelling. You must also carry your Yatra Permit and any other identity card.
11. On your return journey, you must leave the Base Camp along with all members of your group. In case any member of your group is missing you must seek immediate assistance of the Police and also have an announcement made on the Public Address System at the Yatra Camp.
12. You should provide all possible help to your fellow Yatris, travelling with you, and perform the pilgrimage with a pious mind.
13. You must strictly follow the instructions issued by the Yatra administration, from time to time.
14. Earth, water, air, fire and sky are integral parts of Lord Shiva. The Base camp and the entire Yatra routes are the abode of Shri Amarnathji. Throughout your pilgrimage you must respect the environment and do nothing to pollute it.
15. All waste materials must be placed in the nearest dustbin. All organic wastes must be put in the dustbin which is green coloured.
16. Lavatories/ urinals, installed in the camps and other places enroute the Holy Cave, should be used.

DON'TS

1. Don’t stop at places which are marked by warning notices.
2. Don’t use slippers because there are steep rises and falls on the route to the Holy Cave. Only wear trekking shoes with laces.
3. Don’t attempt any short cuts on the route as doing so would be dangerous.
4. Do not do anything during your entire forward/return journey which could cause pollution or disturb the environment of the Yatra area. Use of plastics is strictly banned in the State and is punishable under law.

Health advisory
1.The pilgrimage to Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji invloves trekking at altitudes as high as 14000feet.
2.Yatris may develop High Altitude sickness with following symptoms: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness and difficulty in sleeping,visual impairment,bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, loss of coordination of movements, paralysis on one side of body, gradual loss of consciousness and mental status changes, drowsiness, chest tightness, fullness, congestion, fast breathing and increased heart rate.
3.If high altitude sickness is not treated timely, it may be lethal in a matter of hours.

Do's for prevention of High Altitude Sickness:

1.Do check with your physicion prior to travelling to higher elevations, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
2.Do take time to acclimatize while trekking,realx for a short while on steep inclines.
3.Do check with your physicion prior to taking any medications.
4.Do drink lots of water to combat dehydration and headaches-about 5 litres of fluid per day.
5,Do follow the prescribed food menu-available at Shrine Board's Website-when having food in the Yatra area.
6.Do consume plenty of carbohydrates to reduce fatigue and prevent low blood sugar levels.
7.Do bring portable oxygen with you as it is helpful in case you have difficulty in breathing.
8.Do descend immediately to a lower elevation,if you start having altitude illenss symptoms.

Dont's for prevention of High Altitude Illness
1.Don't ignore the symptoms of high altitude illness.
2.Don't frink alcohol,caffeinated drink or smoke.
3.Don't ascend any further if you have altitude illness, instead,descend immediatley to an elevation where yiou can acclimatize.
4.don't accept everything a sick yatri says since his/her judgement is impaired.
http://shriamarnathjishrine.com/