Shri Amarnath Ji
Situated towards 145 km east of Srinagar, capital of Kashmir state in India, Amarnath is a highly revered and celebrated pilgrimage among Hindus in India. The places holds a sacred ice Silva-linga that changes size with change in seasons and waning and waxing of the moon. The moment is commemorated every year on the full moon day of July-August (Sravana). A grand festival is held
at this cave temple. The legends have it that Lord Siva appeared on this day for the first time. The cave is located at 4,175m inside a glacial valley and measures approximately 150 feet high and 90 feet long. Interestingly, the cave houses around 4-5 beautiful ice formations resembling figurines of different Hindu Gods. The biggest is that of Lord Shiva (Amarnath). Towards the left of Shiva Linga is an attractive ice formation resembling Lord Ganesha. On the right side of linga stands the figures of Goddess Parvati and Lord Bhairava. During the months of June to September, the entire area is enveloped with ice. The cave is open for visitors July to August. Since these are monsoon months, visitors need to battle the severity of rain and weather to ensure a successful trip. Around twenty five thousand people reach Amarnath for pilgrimage every year. For convenience, dandies and ponies are available for visitors. The place attracts a lot of crowd during the annual festival of Sravana. An annual pilgrimage with Srinagar as the starting point led by the Chhari Saheb.
