Shri Amarnath ji (2005)
It was unbelievable in the beginning to plan for a very difficult and risky yatra /pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath ji. Many were willing to come along with us but slowly withdrew their names out of discomfort feeling in Kashmir. Very few of us then decided to go ahead in the year 2005. And needless to say, that has been our most memorable yatra to abode of Lord Shiva. Amarnath cave is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft),reaching through Pahalgam town. The shrine is considered to be one of the holiest shrines, and the cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. The cave itself is covered with snow most of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. To trek and cross the tough terrain is very challenging. We also experienced many difficulties, few trekked and few took ponies yet due to lack of oxygen it is not an easy task.
Panchtarni, a rest camp for the Amarnath yatra, is located between the base camp at Pahalgam and the last rest camp at Sheshnag Lake where five glaciers flow down. Sheshnag lake looks so mesmerizing and divine with its emerald and turquoise blue color water.
When we came down after a very challenging yatra braving a bad weather and heavy rains, we visited Shri Shankaracharya temple.