Amarnāth

Śiva as the ice liṅga · Kashmir Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir

Amarnāth is a high mountain cave in the Kashmir Himalaya, where an ice formation shaped like a liṅga forms naturally and is worshipped as Śiva. Smaller ice forms beside it are honoured as Pārvatī and Gaṇeśa.

The yātrā takes place in summer, roughly July to August, ending on Śrāvaṇa Pūrṇimā (Rakṣā Bandhan). Pilgrims trek from Pahalgam or Baltal, or take a helicopter part of the way. Advance registration and a health certificate are required, and the route depends on the weather. Langars set up by volunteer groups feed pilgrims along the way.

Tradition says Śiva chose this remote cave to tell Pārvatī the secret of immortality (amara-kathā), leaving behind his bull, his serpent, the Moon and even Gaṇeśa along the way so no one would overhear. Yet a pair of pigeons heard the story — and devotees still look for pigeons near the cave.

Jammu and Kashmir · Ice liṅga · Season ~Jul–Aug · Śrāvaṇa Pūrṇimā

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