Highlights:
• This year, a helicopter service from Srinagar to Amarnath Yatra will begin
• The service will run from Srinagar to Panchtarni directly
• The decision was made due to the high tourist traffic along the Amarnath Yatra route
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to launch a helicopter service for pilgrims to the Amarnath Yatra, which has reopened after a two-year hiatus.
The service will run directly from Srinagar to Panchtarni, the final stop point at 3,500 metres above sea level. Pilgrims will then embark on a six-kilometer trek to the holy Amarnath cave.
Decision made due to high tourist traffic along the Amarnath Yatra route
The helicopter service for the Amarnath Yatra was previously only available for Baltal and Pahalgam. They are the two routes that pilgrims use to get to Amarnath temple and Panchtarni, from where they can either walk or use ponies and a palanquin service.
The Amarnath Temple is approximately 61 kilometres away
While the route to the temple from Baltal is the shortest, the route from Pahalgam is the longest, covering 46 kilometres. Trekking, pony, palanquin, and helicopter are all options.
While the route to the temple from Baltal is the shortest, the route from Pahalgam is the longest, covering 46 kilometres. Trekking, pony, palanquin, and helicopter are all options.
The launch of a helicopter service from Srinagar to Panchtarni will undoubtedly save time for pilgrims who want to avoid driving to Pahalgam and Baltal to take advantage of the service.
Also Read: The Gangotri-Yamunotri temples are opened to pilgrims as part of the India Char Dham yatra
