CAVE TEMPLE OF LORD AMARNATH (SHIVA)
A TEMPLE OF NATURAL FORMATION AND ARDENT PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE
AMARNATH, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
DINESH VORA
Located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir
and situated on Mount Amarnath, the Amarnath
caves are one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism.
Dedicated to the Lord Shiva, the shrine is said to be over
5,000 years old. The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism.
Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice stalagmite resembling
the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter.
This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the
summer festival. According to Hindu mythology, this is the
cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity
to his divine wife Parvati. Two other ice formations represent
Parvati and Shiva's son, Lord Ganesha.
The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft),
about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of
Jammu and Kashmir.
The Central Reserve Police Force, Indian Army and Indian
Paramilitary Forces maintain a strong presence in the region
due to security concerns.
The temple is a popular yatra destination for Hindus – about 400,000 people
visit during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani Mela in
July–August, coinciding with the Hindu holy
month of Shraavana.
The beginning of the annual pilgrimage, called Amarnath Yatra,
to the Himalayan cave shrine is marked by 'pratham pujan'
to invoke the blessings of Shri Amarnathji.
Devotees generally take the 42 km (26 mi) pilgrimage on foot
from the town of Pahalgam, about 96 km (60 mi) from Srinagar,
and cover the journey in four to five days.
There are two alternate routes to the temple:
the longer and more traditional path from Srinagar,
and the shorter route from the town of Baltal. Some devotees,
particularly the elderly, also ride on horse-back
to make the journey.
Those who so wish and have the money can now
make the journey by helicopter.
CAVE TEMPLE OF LORD AMARNATH (SHIVA)
AMARNATH, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
A TEMPLE OF NATURAL FORMATION
DINESH VORA
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