Amarnath Yatra 2025: Key Details and Guide

The Amarnath Yatra is one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It involves a challenging but spiritually rewarding journey to the Amarnath Cave shrine, located at an altitude of approximately 3,888 meters (12,756 feet) in the Himalayas of Jammu & Kashmir, India.

📅 Dates & Duration

• Yatra Period: July 3 – August 9, 2025 (38 days)
• Pilgrimage Window: Coincides with Shravan Purnima/Raksha Bandhan on August 9.

👥 Eligibility & Pilgrim Limits

• Age Criteria: 13 to 70 years; pregnant women beyond 6 weeks and those with serious heart or lung conditions are not permitted
• Daily Capacity: ~15,000 pilgrims (across both routes)

📝 Registration Process

Pilgrims must register in advance—no spot registration is allowed.

• Online (Preferred)
  • Register via the SASB portal (jksasb.nic.in) under “Yatra 2025 Registration.”
  • Upload:
    • Recent passport‑size photograph
    • Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) (issued after April 15, 2025)
    • Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, passport, etc.)
  • Verify mobile via OTP, pay fee, then download your Yatra Registration Permit
• Offline
  • Visit one of ~540 designated bank branches (e.g., PNB, J&K Bank) with originals of the above documents.

Registration Opens: April 14–15, 2025
Registration Closes: August 9, 2025 (subject to daily caps)

💰 Fees & Permits

• Registration Fee: ₹220 per pilgrim.
• Permits & RFID: After registration, collect your RFID card in Jammu/Kashmir division before starting the trek; wear it throughout for security and tracking

🛣️ Routes & Trekking Options

• Pahalgam Route
  • Distance: ~45 km over 3–5 days
  • Gradual ascent with more rest camps and amenities.
• Baltal Route
  • Distance: ~14 km over 1–2 days
  • Steeper and more strenuous, but significantly shorter.

Pilgrims may also book helicopter transfers (subject to availability) from Baltal or Pahalgam to Panchtarni—book early.

🏥 Health & Safety Requirements

• Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC):
  • Must be issued (with photo and doctor’s attestation) on or after April 15, 2025.
  • Only certificates from SASB‑authorized doctors/institutions are valid
• Altitude Acclimatization: Stay hydrated; ascend gradually to minimize altitude sickness.
• Medical Camps & Security: Provided along both routes by SASB and government agencies.

🛏️ Accommodation & Facilities

• Tented Camps: Available at fixed locations; details updated on SASB website.
• Langars (Free Meals): Organized by local trusts and volunteers at regular intervals.
• Basic Amenities: Water points, toilets, rest areas, and medical aid posts along the routes.

🎒 Packing Checklist & Tips

• Clothing: Layered warm clothes, wind‑cheater, raincoat/umbrella.
• Footwear: Sturdy trekking shoes with good grip.
• Essentials:
  • CHC, permit, RFID card, ID proofs
  • Mobile with power bank
  • Energy bars, dry fruits, biscuits
  • Basic medicines (for headache, indigestion, altitude sickness)
• Dos & Don’ts:
  • Wear your RFID around your neck at all times.
  • Avoid plastic waste—use reusable bottles.
  • Heed all safety signage; do not deviate from marked paths.

✅ Final Reminders

• Register Early: Secure your preferred date and route before daily limits fill up.
• Stay Informed: Monitor weather updates on the SASB portal.
• Respect the Environment: Maintain cleanliness and follow all guidelines for a safe, spiritually enriching pilgrimage.

May your Amarnath Yatra 2025 be a fulfilling and safe journey of faith!