It all started in March 2014 when a few people in my office were discussing about Amarnath trip. One of them been there a few years back and was narrating his experience. Being a travel freak  I quickly jumped into the discussion to know more about the place and experience. 

Till that time what I knew about Amarnath was its somewhere in north and tough to climb and I cannot visit as one has to take at least 10 days of holidays which was definitely not possible. Thats it! 

So while listening to their conversation I got to know that there are two routes to Amanrath, One from Pahalgaon which takes around 7 days to and fro and the second one is Baltal route which one can cover in 24 hours but the track is really tough.

So I googled all the available blogs for the Amarnath yatra but 90% of them traveled from Pahalgam and couldn't get much info on Baltal. So I thought, will write a blog after coming back from the trip which will help people to prepare for the trip.

Since one doesn't enjoy going alone and may feel lonely also would need support as its a tough trek I asked a few of my colleagues if they want to come for the trip. Finally two of my colleagues  and Deepak Bhalla & Rakesh and one of my old Colleague Pardeep and Parag (Rakesh's friend) confirmed that they will come for the trip. It was the first time for everyone so we had to gather as much information as possible for the safe and successful trip.

Next day I checked Amarnath Yatra Website www.shriamarnathjishrine.com and downloaded two mandatory forms. They are Registration Form and a Compulsary Health Certificate form.

Both the forms are quite simple to fill. You need to attach one passport size photograph on each form plus you need to provide three additional passport size photographs. For medical test, you can find the list of hospitals on the websites. I prefer getting the test done from government hospital as is very cheap. Most of the private hospital would charge anywhere between INR 600 and INR 1500. There will be Blood test, Chest X-ray, Height and weight and ECG. One has to go for the test along with the compulsory health certificate form duly filled. After the test they will take the form from you and next day you can collect the form signed and stamped by the hospital authority. Make sure they also stamp on the photograph on the form.

After passing the medical test, you have to submit both the forms to one of the listed centers like PNB bank, J&K banks etc and at the time of submission yo need to pay INR 50 as registration charges. After a week you can check with the bank if they have received your permit. The permit consist of three pages with same details (which includes day and date of yatra from Baltal etc ) manually filled and have one passport size photograph on each. The first copy is for buying a 7 day prepaid BSNL sim (after reaching baltal camp). Second copy for your self and the third copy to be collected by the BSF personal at Domail.

In 2014 the yatra started on 28th June and ended on 10th August. We choose to take the yatra on 18th July because of 2 reasons. One, in the first two weeks there will be lot of rush. Second, there were still lot of snow on the tracks (as per the news) which would delay the trip.

After receiving the yatra permit we were in seventh heaven. We never thought of going to Amarnath yatra and now we have permit to visit.

We booked a SPL train (scheduled by indian railways during Amarnath Yatra). 

15-Jul-2014

Myself and Deepak Bhalla left for home from office a bit early around 3:00 PM. We reached home and got ready but suddenly we received an invitation from our boss to attend an urgent project meeting. Due to which we got late. We rushed to New Delhi station where we had to board our New Delhi Jammu SPL train. We reached to the platform just 5 minutes before departure. Rakesh, Parag and Pardeep were already reached station and kept on calling us. Thanks to Indian railways the train was late for departure. We boarded the train, bought some biscuits, chips. Rakesh had also brought some eateries. 

The train departed 30 mins late and after some time it started raining. In fact, it was raining so heavily that rain water started dripping inside the coach. One should remember that since its a special train this should be expected from Indian Railways :P.

16-Jul-2014

Next day we reached Jammu an Hour late. The weather was fine there as the whole way it was raining.

Rakesh's brother (lives in Jammu) came to the station and picked us to his known Taxi Stand in Jammu as the next step was to reach Srinagar. We hired a nice Xylo for only INR 3500 (all inclusive). While waiting for Rakesh's brother outside Jammu Station we enquired with a few Taxi operators and they were charging INR 1000 per person to Srinagar that too with 10 passengers. With that this was one of the best deal.

Pictures taken on the way to Srinagar

My Digital Lifeline: How Seedr Transformed My Online Experience

My Digital Lifeline: How Seedr Transformed My Online Experience

For years, I wrestled with the cumbersome, often frustrating, world of torrenting. Slow downloads, potential malware, and the constant fear of legal repercussions were persistent thorns in my digital side. Then, I discovered Seedr, and my online experience underwent a radical transformation. This isn't just a review; it's a personal testament to how Seedr became an indispensable tool in my daily life.

The Pre-Seedr Struggle: A Digital Quagmire

Before Seedr, torrenting felt like navigating a minefield. My old methods were fraught with challenges:

• Slow Download Speeds: My internet connection, while adequate for most tasks, struggled with direct torrent downloads. Hours, sometimes days, would evaporate as progress bars inched forward.
• Malware Risks: The fear of downloading a corrupted file or, worse, malware, was ever-present. I spent countless hours scanning files and worrying about potential security breaches.
• IP Exposure: The idea of my IP address being exposed during torrenting was a constant source of anxiety. I knew the risks, but the alternatives were often inconvenient or expensive.
• Device Strain: Downloading large files directly to my computer strained its resources, slowing it down and consuming valuable storage space.
• Cross-Device Accessibility: Accessing downloaded files across different devices was a logistical nightmare. I'd often have to transfer files manually, which was time-consuming and inefficient.

These issues painted a picture of a digital experience riddled with frustration and anxiety. I needed a solution that would simplify the process and alleviate these concerns.

Discovering Seedr: A Beacon of Hope

I stumbled upon Seedr while searching for a more streamlined torrenting solution. The concept of cloud-based torrenting was intriguing. The idea of offloading the download process to a remote server seemed like a dream come true.

The Seedr Experience: A Breath of Fresh Air

From the moment I signed up for a free Seedr account, I noticed a significant difference.

• Speed and Efficiency: Seedr's servers downloaded torrents at lightning speed. Files that previously took hours now appeared in my cloud storage within minutes.
• Enhanced Security: The built-in virus scanning feature provided peace of mind. I no longer had to worry about malware lurking in downloaded files.
• IP Anonymity: Seedr's cloud-based approach effectively masked my IP address, eliminating the fear of exposure.
• Device Independence: I could access my downloaded files from any device with an internet connection. This newfound flexibility was a game-changer.
• Streaming Feature: The ability to stream videos and audio files directly from Seedr was a delightful surprise. It allowed me to preview content before downloading it, saving time and storage space.
• User-Friendly Interface: Seedr's interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. Even for someone who isn't particularly tech-savvy, the platform is remarkably user-friendly.

How Seedr Transformed My Workflow:

Seedr's impact extended far beyond mere convenience. It revolutionized my workflow in several ways:

• Research and Education: As a lifelong learner, I often need to access academic papers, documentaries, and educational resources. Seedr made it easy to download and organize these materials.
• Media Consumption: I enjoy watching foreign films and documentaries that aren't readily available on mainstream streaming platforms. Seedr provided a reliable way to access these hidden gems.
• Software and Tools: While always verifying legal acquisition, Seedr has simplified the process of obtaining open source software and tools.
• Personal Backups: I use Seedr to store personal backups of important files, ensuring their safety and accessibility.
• Time Management: Seedr's efficiency freed up valuable time that I previously spent waiting for downloads. I could now focus on more productive tasks.

The Free Tier and Beyond:

Seedr's free tier is generous, providing ample storage space and download speeds for casual users. However, I eventually upgraded to a premium plan to unlock even more storage and features. The investment was well worth it, as it further enhanced my Seedr experience.

Responsible Use: A Core Principle:

While Seedr offers numerous benefits, it's crucial to use it responsibly. I adhere to the following principles:

• Respect Copyright Laws: I only download torrents that I have the right to access.
• Support Creators: I prioritize legal streaming services and online stores whenever possible.
• Verify Torrent Sources: I download torrents only from reputable trackers and websites.
• Use a VPN: I use a VPN in conjunction with Seedr for added security and privacy.
• Promote Ethical Use: I encourage others to use Seedr responsibly and ethically.

Seedr: A Digital Companion:

Seedr has become more than just a torrent client; it's a digital companion that simplifies my online life. It has transformed my workflow, enhanced my media consumption, and provided a safe and efficient way to access online content.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Cloud Torrenting:

Cloud torrenting services like Seedr are poised to play an increasingly important role in the digital landscape. As technology advances, these services will likely become even more sophisticated and user-friendly.

My Gratitude:

I'm incredibly grateful for Seedr and the positive impact it has had on my online experience. It has empowered me to access information, explore new content, and manage my digital life more effectively. Seedr has proven itself to be a valuable tool for anyone seeking a streamlined and secure torrenting solution. It's a testament to how technology can enhance our lives when used responsibly.