Amarnath Yatra 1898 Diwan Alim Chand

Diwan Alim Chand was a Pioneering Photographer attached to the Court of the Dogra Maharajas of Jammu and Kashmir. Diwan Alim Chand also had the privilege of having taken the first Photographs of the Amarnath Yatra back in 1898 when Maharaja Partap Singh, the Maharaja at that time had gone on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Cave.

The Photographs offer a unique glimpse into History of how the Yatra was conducted almost 120 years back. It also offers a window of how the Geography of the area looked at that point of time and how it compares to more contemporary times.

Holy Amarnath Cave

The first view of the Holy Cave. This is the first Pic of the Holy Cave taken in 1898. The Oldest.

Aishmuqam

Showing the Yatra Camp along the Babal Canal beneath the Shrine at Aishmuqam. Aishmuqam lies 20 kms before Pahalgam and was a stopover on the way to Pahalgam.

Pahalgam

The Yatra Camp at Pahalgam. The main base for the Yatra in those times was Pahalgam and it remains the same today.

Chandanwari

Maharaja Partap Singh and His Brother Raja Amar Singh and their courtiers paying their respects to the Mahant of the Yatra at Chandanwari.

Chandanwari

Maharaja Partap Singh (middle) flanked by Raja Amar Singh (right) and the Mahant of the Yatra at Chandanwari Camp.

Pissu Top

Maharaja Partap Singh being carried in a Royal Dandi- palanquin up the treacherous Pissu Top towards its top

Pissu Top

The Royal Pilgrims being carried in Palanquins towards Pissu Top

Sheshnag

A group of Sadhus at Sheshnag Camp

Sheshnag

Sheshnag Stream at Zojibal with Koh-i-Nur Mountains (17000 ft ASL) in the background

Sheshnag

Another group of Sadhus at Sheshnag Camp

Sangam

A Royal Palaquin carrying a female member of the Royal family towards the Holy Cave from Sangam

Panchtarni

Yatris ascending Nagpal near Panchtarani Ghat known as Bairagi Ghat or Barou Bal on way to Amarnath cave

Panchtarni

The Yatra Camp at Panchtarni

Panchtarni

A panoramic view of the Panchtarni Peaks & Glacier

Pics Courtesy Nostalgic Kashmir and Showkat Rashid Wani Jinaab.