So to rive a re-cap. Darshan at Holy cave are stopped at 7PM due to aarti. Darshan are open again in the morning after 7 AM. SO this was rest time for Lord Shiva and for us also. Atmosphere was very cold and temperature was near freezing point. We took the quilts and laid down for sleep. It was very cold and I started shivering under single quilt so we decided to join our quilts. We were so tired that we could not go for dinner available at one Bhandara just 50 mts away. We both took Combiflame and slept.
Day 4:
We get up at 5.30 AM. It was very cold outside. Around 6 AM we came out of tent to proceed further to Holy Cave. We took a bucket of hot water for Rs.50 from Tentwala and wash our face and hands etc. We did not take bath as we were so tired and weather was very cold. We took a cup of tea and stood in the line for Darshan. After Aarti, Darshan started at 7:30AM. Around 8.15 AM we reached in holy cave .All the atmosphere was filled with the Jaikare of Bam Bam Bhole. We forget all our tiredness and body pain after Darshan. We were feeling so energetic. I got very emotional after Darshan. A full size ice lingam was in front of my eyes. As I already mention that this was my 12th Yatra to Holy cave but this year ice lingam size was the biggest I have ever seen. We spent around 40 minutes in the Holy cave and offered some rituals. We came down from the cave. As we had not taken lunch and dinner yesterday, we were very hungry. We took one prantha each and tea from the Bhandara and started journey towards Baltal. It was around 9.30 AM. There were frequent traffic jam on the ways due to heavy rush. At 3:45 PM we reached at Domel and went to Barfani sewa mandal Bhandara. We took lunch there and rested for night at there.
return journey
Ready to return after Darshan.
Ready to return after Darshan.
Different ways but all leads to Holy Cave.
Desktop Wallpaper Pic
Clouds on Mountains
Day5 and 6:
We left the Bhandara at 7AM in the morning and proceeded towards Baltal. In the route we also took some breakfast .We reached at bus stand and caught the bus from Baltal at 8 AM for Jammu. We were having the seats in the cabins just behind driver. Bus stopped at one place before Srinagar as the driver ha to repair one Bus tyre. Passengers of the bus took the advantage of situation by enjoying themselves near the bank of Sind River.
Sind River
Sind River
Sind River
Sind River
Some were shopping at nearby shops. After 45 minutes bus started again. We reached Srinagar at 12.30. Bus was running slow. It stopped two more places for lunch and shopping. It reached Udhampur at 11.45 PM. We dropped at Udhampur and took rest at Hanuman Temple where arrangements are made for Pilgrims during Amarnath Yatra. We slept there and wake up next morning at 4.30 AM. After taking bath we OFFERED PRAYERS at temple and then we took tea and asked the Tea vendor about the location of Udhampur railway station .He told in casual way that it is just half Km away in that direction. 0.5 Km was not big distance so we started to move in that direction for railway station to catch the train. After walking around 1Km, we reached to a chowk but found no sign of Railway station. We asked from an auto-rickshaw about Railway station and he replied that the Railway station is 4 KM away from this point. We were surprised; we hired that auto-rickshaw to reach station. We reached Railway station at 6.15 AM took two tickets of Malwa express for Ambala Cantt. Malwa express run between Udhampur and Jammu as Local train and from Jammu it becomes Malwa express. It departure time from Udhampur is 6:45 AM. It arrives at Jammu at 8.30 AM and departs from Jammu at 9.00 AM. We reached at Ambala Cantt at 3.30 PM. We both caught different Rickshaw for our homes.
Now waiting for next Amarnath Yatra 2013
Jai bhole kiтАж
Very good travelogue with b’ful fotos….specially the second last foto was mind- blowing
Thanks S.S. Sir..
Dear Naresh,
Once again a very good narration as well as wonderful pictures. Waiting for next Amarnath yatra 2013 is what you have written , that means Baba Has already called you , Congrats . I am waiting for your next Amarnath yatra story , Please do share and share and share all you 12 yatras , I will read each one of them with equal passion that much I am fantasized by this yatra just by performing it once. This is an addiction. I just cant stop about remembering my yatra whenever I feel like going out on travel.
To directly read my Amarnath Yatra skipping Amritsar you can click
https://www.ghumakkar.com/2012/08/25/mighty-journey-to-almighty-amritsar-to-patnitop/
here you will finish in 9 posts .
Thanks for sharing your. Jai Bhole.
Thanks Vishal,
before the Yatra 2013, I will try to pen down one more Amarnath Yatra -2010 story in which both the tracks (Pahalgam route for ascend and Baltal route for descend ) were used.
and have started to read your Amarnath Yatra story..will comment soon..
With More Posts , more detailing and more pictures .
Sure… will try..
Dear Naresh,
Well written and good photos. Darshan of Shivling at Barfani Baba great. Nice to know about Train from Udhampur may be it will start from Katra very soon. Will wait for your next blog.
Thanks.
Thanks Sharma Ji..
Train from Udhampur to Katra may start this summer… known from confirmed sources..
Very good story of your travel and Sind River pictures are very pretty. That places seems like worth paying a visit.
Thanks Wadhwa Sir,
As they say beauty is the eyes of beholder. And that is so true of the Valley. In Kashmir there is as much hidden as revealed. So the Valley has to be seen with the eyes of the soul.It is a photographerТs paradise.
Jai Bhole
Thanks..
Jai Baba Barfani..
Bhukhe ko Ann, Pyase ko Pani..
Great job, Naresh. Thoroughly enjoyed your narrative and feel sad that it has ended so soon. The pictures of the pristine waters of the Sindhu (Indus) river looked out of this world. Looking forward to reading about your 13th yatra in 2013. All the best.
Thanks Narayan Sir,
You are right that the story has ended so soon. Actually this was my first write -up and i want to finished it quickly. Will take care in next story..
And the River is not Sindhu (Indus) which flows in Ladhakh.
This is Sind river. AmarGanga river coming from Holy Cave of Amarnath ji meets with Panchtarni River coming from Panchtarni at Sangam Velly and becomes Sind river. It flows parrallel to Baltal track for Amarnath ji up to Domail where it joins a tributary which doubles its flow . The Sind River passes through a famous alpine hill station Sonamarg known for river rafting tournaments.It joins the Jehlum River near Srinagar city.
Thank,s Nareshji, for the clarification that it was not the Sindhu. I was sort of surprised that the Indus was flowing through this area which is why I was asking the question in a veiled manner. Please do write about other places you have visited. It will be a pleasure for all of us out here.