The very auspicious Amarnath Yatra is a Hindu pilgrims journey to the Amarnath Cave, named after the Mount Amarnath (5,486 m a.s.l.). Due to the high altitude location, the cave is covered with snow for most part of the year. It is only during a short period in summer that devotees are able to undertake a journey up to the cave. The ice content of the cave, believed to be the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, has a significant place in the Hindu mythology. Though the cave of Amarnath lies at high altitude where temperature is quite low and the journey is arduous, nothing seems to discourage the pilgrims from travelling there. Truly, spirituality is the lifeblood of the nation in India.
Today, Amarnath ji Yatra is an essential part of the Hindu pilgrimage and though the route is difficult to negotiate, it is equally exciting. Every year, thousands of devotees come to pay homage before Shiva in one of his famous Himalayan abodes. Lord Shiva is the creator, preserver as well as the destructor of this universe. The Lord's attributes represent his victory over the demonic activity, and calmness of human nature. Amarnath ji yatra embodies this spirit of adventure and helps human being to attain the ultimate level of spirituality.
Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of immortality & creation in the Amarnath cave. Unknown to them, a pair of mating pigeons eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the pigeons-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).
The trek to Amarnath ji, in the month of Shravan (July - August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a lingam, is formed naturally of an ice - stalagmite, and which waxes and wanes with the moon. By its side are, fascinatingly, two more ice - lingams, that of Parvati and of their son, Ganesha.
For traveler’s convenience, there are helicopter facilities as well. The helicopters for Amarnath ji yatra operate every day, except during bad weather conditions. One flight accommodates 5-6 passengers. Flight timings are between 05:00 hours and 11:45 hours. The helicopters to Amarnath operate between Srinagar and Amarnath and Baltal and Amarnath. You can choose either of the routes. However, the cost per person from Srinagar is more as compared to from Baltal.
Jammu - Pahalgam - Holy Cave: Jammu to Pahalgam is a distance of 315 km. Regular taxi and bus services connect Jammu with Pahalgam. Another option is to fly to Srinagar and then drive to Pahalgam.
