Amarnath Yatra 2025 starts today: registration process, route security after Pahalgam attack, accommodation options and total cost

The waiting has ended, and the long-awaited Amarnath Yatra 2025 officially began today. Yatris’ first Yatris began their journey from Baltal Base Camp early Thursday morning, with another group departing from Pahalgam. Yatra officially started on August 9 38 days later, matching the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

Meanwhile, the second batch of 5,246 pilgrims provided the valley with Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escort convoys, which emphasized strict safety measures.

If you plan to go to Amarnath Yatra. You may be wondering how to start your journey, how many days there are, bookings, what the route is, what the available accommodation options, what the total cost is and what security arrangements are available. Let’s explore these details to help you plan your pilgrimage.

Amarnath Yatra Route

There are two routes to reach the Amarnath Cave. One route starts in Pahalgam and the other starts in Baltal.

The Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district is 48 km, the second route is shorter, but shorter in the Ganderbal area, but steep 14 km route of Baltar.

The Pahalgam route is considered long. It can take 3 to 5 days to pass through it. The second Balter route takes 1 to 2 days.

Registration essentials for Amarnath Yatra 2025

For Amarnath Yatra, registration is a must, you can register online and offline. Let us understand the process.

Register online It can be completed from the official website of Shri Amarnath Shrine Committee (SASB) JKSASB.NIC.IN, which will be conducted on April 14, 2025. 15,000 registrations are available per day.

Before you sign up, you must choose your travel route. In addition to this, an ID card must be provided, such as Aadhar, Passport, voter ID or PAN card, passport size photo and mandatory health certificate (CHC). A health certificate should be issued on or after April 8, 2025.

After registration, you must obtain an RFID card from the center in Jamu or Kashmir, for which you will have a biometric EKYC verification. Without this card, you will not be able to access the control door.

RFID represents radio frequency identification. This card is important during the Amarnath Yatra to track the pilgrims’ locations, thereby improving its security during the pilgrimage.

Register offline

Offline registration has started on June 30. To this end, there are 533 bank branches across the country. These include the branches of the Punjab National Bank, the State Bank of India, the Jamuk and Kashmir Bank, and are banks.

After arriving at the Mu check, you can also use an offline token. The Tatkal registration counter has set up 4 locations in Chamu. These include near the train station, Saraswati Dham, Vaishnavi Dham and Panchayat Bhawan Mahajan. Only in the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, there is a special registration center for Sadus and Saints.

Register offline will require the same files as registering online. After obtaining the token, the registration process can be completed by submitting medical certificates and other documents at the designated center.

For Indian citizens, the offline registration fee is Rs 120 per person and the online fee is Rs 220 per person. After registration, the pilgrims who come to check the mu will be able to leave the fixed route with the group at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp. Then, on July 3, they will start hiking to Amarnath Cave.

Amarnath Yatra Fees and Accommodation

Amarnath Yatra can be priced between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 through the Baltal Route and Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 through the Pahalgam route (including travel, accommodation and food). Additional charges include ponies or parankun rental (Rs 2,000 rupees 5,000). The hotel’s tent (Rs 500) offers accommodation with free Langa food and can be booked in Chamu or Srinagar before travelling.

Route safety

• After the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam in April 2025, the security of the entire Chamu area has been significantly strengthened.
• More than 50,000 personnel from the CRPF, the Army and the Police were deployed.
• CCTV cameras, drones, jammers and facial recognition systems are being used to monitor routes.
• Arrangements were also made for the medical team, air ambulances and emergency evacuation to ensure the safety of all pilgrims.
• Another 180 CAPF companies have been deployed to add existing security settings including the Army, Security Forces, as well as Jamuk and Kashmir Police Stations.
• It is recommended that Yatris take a journey from jam to the valley as part of the escort convoy, rather than traveling alone towards the base camp.
• The devotees are close to the Holy Cave Shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters, from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route.
• There is no helicopter service available for Yatris this year for safety reasons.
• Authorities have established 17 medical battalions at the Langar site, established mini hospitals and deployed ambulances in the Ramban area.
• The National Highway Administration and the Government have provided four more ambulances, which we have deployed as a Yatra obligation.

Kamal Zadoo, chief medical officer of Ramban, told ANI, “On behalf of the health department, we have established 17 camps at the Langar site and at the Lodgement centre, from the Nashri tunnel to the Navyug Tunnel. Two ambulances were also placed there this year.

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