Chandanwari — the road-end and start of the Amarnath pilgrim path
What it is
Chandanwari, also written Chandanwadi, is the base camp about 16 km from Pahalgam where the pilgrimage on foot to the Amarnath Temple begins. Legend says that on his way to the Amarnath cave Shiva left his bull Nandi at Pahalgam, the moon from his head at Chandanwari, his serpent at Sheshnag Lake and the five elements at Panchtarni.
Photos: Akshey25 (CC BY 3.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
The road
The road runs north-east from Pahalgam along the Lidder, past Betaab Valley, which Wikipedia places 15 km from the town, a green meadow named after a 1983 film. By road Chandanwari is about 14 km and 25 minutes from the centre of Pahalgam on our routing; Wikipedia gives 16 km.
The pilgrimage
Wikipedia describes two main routes to the Amarnath Temple: a shorter, steeper 13 km route from Baltal, and a longer, easier and busier 43 km route from Pahalgam via Chandanwari. The season is about 45 days in July and August, and pre-registration is mandatory. We cannot verify current rules; follow the official announcements.
Visiting outside the pilgrimage
We have no verified rules for visitors in other months, and the area can be restricted. Snow lingers into early summer, and Wikimedia pictures show a snow bridge across the stream. Ask locally on the day.
Combine it with
The one-day plan starts at the Mamleshwar Temple. Read things to do in Pahalgam and how to reach Pahalgam.
Plans that include this
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Nearby places
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Questions people ask
What is Chandanwari?
A base camp about 16 km from Pahalgam, where the yatra on foot to the Amarnath Temple begins, by Wikipedia's account. Legend says Shiva left the moon from his head here, his bull Nandi at Pahalgam and his serpent at Sheshnag Lake. The road from Pahalgam passes meadows including Betaab Valley.
How long is the Amarnath route from here?
Wikipedia describes the longer and easier route from Pahalgam via Chandanwari as about 43 km, partly motorable and partly on foot, and the pilgrimage season as about 45 days in July and August. Pre-registration is mandatory for the pilgrimage, and the rules change, so follow the official announcements, not this page.
Can you visit Chandanwari without the pilgrimage?
The road runs there from Pahalgam, and Wikipedia says the valley is on the Amarnath route. We have no verified rules on access outside the pilgrimage season, and the area can be closed or restricted, so ask locally on the day. Expect snow lingering into early summer, including snow bridges over the stream.