Each year, thousands of devotees embark on Amarnath Yatra to seek blessings of Baba Amarnath. The upcoming Amarnath Yatra will start from June 29, 2024, and conclude on August 19, 2024. This journey spans 52 days and is revered as a significant Hindu pilgrimage. 

Where is Amarnathji Cave?

Amarnathji Cave is situated 29 km from Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. It is surrounded by beautiful snowy mountains. For a brief period in summer, it opens to pilgrims. Inside the cave, the devotees can witness the naturally formed ice Shivalinga, which is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. 

Helicopter routes

Helicopter services are available for those wanting to visit Amarnath via air. Helicopter services for the Baltal route in North Kashmir will operate on the Neelgrath-Panjtarni- Neelgrath sector, while the services for the Pahalgam route will be on the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgram sector. 

This year, pilgrims can easily book their helicopter tickets directly from the official website of SASB at jksasb.nic.in. Services will be provided on a first come first serve basis. 

Prices for services

The one-way fare from Pahalgam to Panjtarni is priced at Rs 4,900 while the round-trip fare is for Rs 9,800. From Neelgrath to Panjtarni, the one-way fare is Rs 3250, and the round-trip fare amounts to Rs 6,500. 

More details

The visitors seeking helicopter services are required to possess a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) issued by authorized doctors in accordance with SASB guidelines. They must also carry their original identification card. According to SASB, the bookings for Amarnath Yatra 2024 commenced on April 15. 

There are two main routes

Pahalgam route- This 32 km route begins from Pahalgam. It is a beautiful hill station. It includes an uphill trek through grasslands and forests. 

Baltal route- This 15 km route is shorter than the other one and starts from Baltal. It includes difficult climbs and demands high levels of fitness.