One of the most revered pilgrim sites of India in the mighty Himalayas, Amarnath opens its gates for only a few months in a year. It enshrines a natural Shivalingam of ice and is reached after an arduous trek through the mountains. The cave is at a height of 13,000 feet above sea level. Shiva is worshipped here in the form of a Shivalinga-shaped ice block, formed by oozing drops of water in the cave that freeze into a natural Shivalinga. To the left of the Shivalingam is an ice block representing Ganesha and to the right are blocks representing Parvati and Bhairava. The cave faces south. Inside the cave, is another small cave on the left of the image from which a chalk-like substance is distributed to pilgrims as Vibhuti.
Tradition has it that every lunar month, on the first day of the bright half of the month, the icy Shivalingam begins to form and reaches its full size on a full moon day; it then begins to wane and disappears by the new moon day. The trek to Amarnath begins from Srinagar. There are enroute halts at Pampur, Avantipur, Brijbihara and Martand. Martand is known for its ancient temple dedicated to the Sun God, now in ruins. This temple dates back to the time of Lalitaditya of Kashmir in the eighth century. Subsequent halts include Aishmukam and Pahalgam, the latter a confluence of the rivers Sheshnag and Liddar.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The yatra begins mid June and ends in August.
HOW TO GET THERE
BY AIR: The nearest airport is at Srinagar. There are daily flights to Srinagar from Delhi and Jammu. Helicopter service to the holy cave is available from Baltal.
BY ROAD: Amarnath is 46 km from Pahalgam and 141 km from Srinagar. Pahalgam is 96 km from Srinagar. The second approach to Amarnath is from Sonmarg via Baltal. Sonmarg is situated on Srinagar-Leh road, north east from Srinagar. About 15 km ahead lies Baltal in the foothills of the Zojila Pass. The holy cave is only a day’s journey from here. At Baltal ponies/dandies/pack ponies /porters are available on Government approved rates.
Jammu, 300 kms away, from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with the country. Buses and taxis ply on this highway. It takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this road.
BY RAIL: Jammu is the nearest Railway Station. It is well connected to major cities in India.
