Amarnath Yatra 2009

Snow and rains along the routes to the cave shrine of Amarnath in the Indian Himalayas has delayed the famous annual pilgrimage this year. Amarnath yatra, which was scheduled to begin on June 7 and later postponed to June 15, now may face further delay due to inclement weather in the Kashmir Valley. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) said the weather situation was constantly being monitored and efforts to clear the tracks were in full swing. However, registration for the pilgrimage continues.

Of all Hindu pilgrimages, Amarnath — situated at an altitude of 3,880 meters — is considered one of the holiest. A visit or 'darshan' to the Holy Cave is generally open from mid June - early July (Ashad Purnima) to early August (Sharvan Purnima). The pilgrimage starts in June-July and draws thousands of pilgrims to the naturally-formed ice at the holy cave shrine. The 'yatra' or pilgrimage concludes in August, around the Raksha Bandhan festival. Read more...