Amarnath is located at a high altitude where the pressure of air is less compared to sea level. Therefore people tend to suffer from breathlessness and other illnesses here. Moreover the journey is very tough and requires a lot of mental and physical preparation. Therefore a few basic precautions taken before embarking on this trip will ensure that you come back without ant health or other problems.
Do’s
Get physically fit: This pilgrimage is one of the toughest pilgrimages and requires stamina and strength. Therefore it would be advisable to condition your body physically. Walk for at least an hour everyday for 10-15 days before you start for this place. Climbing stairs is another good way to strengthen you legs and improve endurance. Try to climb 4-5 flight of stairs 2-3 times a day. This will make you strong enough to go on this trek. Even if you are taking the helicopter to the cave, you will still have to walk the last 200 feet and it is nearly a vertical climb.
Practice Breathing: The air pressure in Amarnath is less than at sea level, therefore breathing is difficult here. So practicing breathing exercises beforehand can make life easier for you here. Practice deep breathing for 30-45 minutes each day for 7-10 days. Also while walking breathe through your nose and not mouth. Breathing through the mouth will dry the throat and will lead to a sensation of breathlessness and choking.
Prepare yourself adequately: This is a tough trip and having a few essentials are important. Tbe weather here is very unpredictable and it may turn from bright sunny day to heavy snowfall and rains in a matter of minutes. Therefore it is very important to be prepared. The following items are advisable to carry.
Warm clothes: Carry a jacket with good insulation inside to protect you against the wind
A Balaclava: A balaclava or the monkey cap is essential. Buy a good one as it will keep you head warm.
Raincoat: this will protect you against the rain.
Shoes: Buy a good pair of shoes as you need to walk long distances. Chappals and sandals are best avoided. Similarly women should strictly avoid heels and stick to shoes. Also ensure to carry 2-3 pairs of warm socks. It is advisable to take shoes one size bigger.
Dress:
Women are advised not to wear a saree. A saree is simply unsuitable for walking and women would do well to stick to salwar-kammez or jeans.
Carry a good torchlight, and some matches
Stock up on water, juice and something to eat before the trek. Avoid taking biscuits as they will make you thirsty. Instead you should carry some fruits like apple and oranges which also provide water apart from energy. Another great source of energy are candies which should be carried by everybody
Medical Fitness: It is advisable for the following people to avoid or at least seek the advice of their doctor before proceeding to Amarnath:
» Hypertension
»
Heart Disease
» Epilepsy
» Bronchial Asthma (If you are an asthamatic, carry a card that mentions this and always carry a spare inhaler with you)
» Pregnant Women
The trekking route is narrow and slippery at places. This is especially true about the northern route from Baltal. Therefore walk in a orderly way. Walk slowly and steadily and do not indulge in gimmicks here.
Don’ts
» Do not consume alcohol here. It is harmful to your health and may lead to hypothermia. Also there is a belief here that whenever alcohol is consumed here the weather packs up.
» Do not smoke or do drugs here: Again they can cause serious harm. So leave you cigarettes back in your rooms.
» Do not venture into places which have been marked dangerous.
» Do not throw garbage in the open. The Amarnath Glacier is an ecologically sensitive area, and anyways so much damage is done each year due to the heavy influx of pilgrims, so do not compound the problem by littering. Carry a polythene bag where one can dump garbage and carry it back to the base and dispose it.
» Do not light lamps or agarbattis inside the temple (Most people do it). This is a tradition of this temple which hardly anyone follows. These lamps and agarbattis increase the temperature inside the cave and cause rapid melting of the Shiva Linga.
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