Guidelines
Do’s for the Yatris:
- Do carry reusable cloth or canvas bags for your belongings. Embrace the "Plastic Out – Cloth In" initiative.
- Do use designated water refill stations instead of buying or carrying single-use plastic water bottles.
- Do segregate your waste at the source by using the appropriately color-coded Wet (Organic) and Dry (Inorganic) bins provided at base camps, langars, and along the route.
- Do support the 'Swachh Yatra' initiative by respecting the pristine Himalayan ecology and ensuring you leave only footprints.
- Do carry sufficient woolen clothing as the temperature may sometimes abruptly fall to below 5 degrees Celsius.
- Do carry an umbrella, windcheater, raincoat, and waterproof shoes as the weather in the Yatra area is unpredictable.
- Do keep your clothes and eatables in a suitable waterproof bag to avoid your belongings getting wet.
- Do keep in your pocket a note containing the name, address, and mobile telephone number of any Yatri proceeding for Darshan on the same date as you, for emergency purposes.
- Do carry your identity card/driving license and Yatra permit with you.
- Do travel in a group, with porters/horses/ponies carrying your luggage.
- Do ensure that all those comprising your group remain in your sight, lest you are separated.
- On your journey home, you must leave the Base Camps along with all other members of your group.
- Do seek immediate assistance from the Police in case any member of your group is missing, and have an announcement made on the Public Address System at the Yatra Camp.
- Do help your fellow Yatris travelling with you and perform the Yatra with a pious mind.
- Do strictly follow the instructions issued by the Yatra Administration from time to time.
- For any assistance contact SASB Camp Directors or the nearest Yatra Control room.
- In case of any accident or emergent situation, immediately contact the nearest Camp Director or Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs).
- Free Food facility is available in the entire Yatra area at the Langars.
- Pre-paid SIM Cards from other States shall not work in J&K. Yatris can purchase pre-activated SIM Cards at the Base Camps of Baltal and Nunwan, and at Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, and Lakhanpur.
- Earth, water, air, fire, and sky are integral parts of Lord Shiva. Therefore, respect the environment and do nothing whatsoever to pollute the Yatra area.
Don’ts for the Yatris:
- Don’t bring or use any single-use plastic items, including plastic water bottles, disposable plates, polythene bags, or wrappers.
- Don’t litter on the sacred trails, near streams, or at the campsites. What you carry up the mountain, you must carry down.
- Don’t mix your waste. Never throw dry inorganic waste into organic compost bins.
- For women Yatris: sarees should not be worn during the Yatra. Salwar kameez, pant-shirt, or a track suit is advisable.
- Women who are more than 6 weeks pregnant shall not be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.
- Children below 13 years of age and elderly persons above the age of 70 years shall not be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage.
- Don’t stop at places which are marked by warning notices. Walk only on the designated tracks.
- Don’t walk barefoot or be without woolen clothing at any time, as the temperature remains low and changes abruptly.
- Don’t use slippers because there are steep rises and falls on the route. Only wear trekking shoes with laces.
- Don’t attempt any shortcuts on the route as doing so is highly dangerous.
- Don’t commence your journey on an empty stomach. If you do so, you may attract a serious medical problem.
- Don’t do anything during the entire Yatra which could cause pollution or disturb the fragile environment of the area.
- Avoid throwing coins, currency notes, decorative chunnis, brass lotas, or any other material towards the Shivlingam while having Darshans at the Holy Cave.
- Do not stay at the Holy Cave overnight in view of the high altitude and harsh, unpredictable weather conditions.