Amarnath Cave Temple

Once, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to reveal the deepest secret of the universe — the secret of immortality and creation itself. This was the most dangerous knowledge in existence; if any mortal being overheard it, the fabric of reality would be disrupted.

Shiva searched for a place so remote, so absolutely isolated, that not a single living creature could overhear them. He left his bull Nandi at Pahalgam (the place of the bull), released the Moon from his hair at Chandanwari, shed his serpents at Sheshnag lake, abandoned his son Ganesha at Mahagunas Pass, and let go of the five elements at Panchtarni. Finally, completely alone, he entered a frozen cave high in the mountains.

Inside this cave, Shiva seated Parvati on a deer skin and began narrating the Amar Katha — the Story of Immortality. As he spoke this most sacred and secret knowledge, a pair of mating pigeons nesting in the cave overheard the entire story and became immortal. Their descendants are said to still be seen flying near the cave to this day.

Every summer, when nature itself melts the winter snow, a giant ice stalagmite naturally forms inside the cave in the shape of a Shiva Lingam. It waxes and wanes perfectly with the phases of the moon. This natural ice lingam is worshipped as the physical manifestation of Lord Shiva. The annual Amarnath Yatra sees over 300,000 pilgrims making the treacherous 36-km trek through some of the most extreme terrain on earth to pay their respects.

Mentioned in ancient texts but rediscovered by a Gujjar shepherd named Buta Malik in the 15th century. The ice lingam waxes and wanes with the lunar cycle.

The annual Amarnath Yatra during Shravani Mela (July-August) is one of the most challenging pilgrimages in the Hindu world.

A completely natural cave at 3,888 metres altitude. The ice stalagmite Shiva Lingam forms naturally each summer and can reach heights of over 3 feet.