Baltal near Srinagar

While cruising on the road from Srinagar to Kargil, savouring some of the captivating spectacles of Kashmir, one would pass by Baltal. This is one of the starting points for the pilgrims who undertake the annual trek to the holy shrine at Amarnath located in the Kashmir Himalayas. 

The trek from here proceeds through the picturesque Lidder Valley. At Amarnath, about 18 kms from Baltal, pilgrims offer prayers before the Shiva Linga formed of ice, inside the Amarnath cave. The pilgrim season is managed by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and usually takes place during July / August.