The sanctum of mysticism

The Amarnath Caves are situated at an altitude of 3,888 meters. The mystical Amarnath shrine is like no other temple, because here, both the abode and the Shivalinga are created by nature, and not man. The ice Linga, believed to wax and wane with the moon's cycle, symbolizes the eternal cycle of creation and dissolution. As per ancient texts the divine Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva the secret of immortality. Lord Shiva told her that she must listen to Amar Katha, the story of immortality, to understand this mystery. He tried to find a solitary location to hold this cosmic discourse, and ultimately chose the Amarnath Cave. In utmost secrecy, Lord Shiva left his faithful vahana, Nandi, at Pahalgam, the moon (Chand) from his hair at Chandanwari, the serpents on the shores of Lake Sheshnag. Even today, the Sheshnag area is surrounded by seven identical peaks, which depict the seven-headed Sheshnag.  At Mahagunas Parvat, he parted with Lord Ganesha and at Panjtarni, he released the Five Elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Sky) that constitute the essence of life. Then Lord Shiva entered the sacred Amarnath Cave with Devi Parvati and went into a state of Samadhi (profound meditation) revealing the secret knowledge to her.

The route: A path of self-discovery

The traditional route to the Amarnath Temple is around 45 km long and begins at the picturesque town of Pahalgam and takes pilgrims through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panchtarni. The shorter route, that goes from Baltal to the cave shrine is very steep, with 14 km of trekking. Generally pilgrims prefer to take the route which starts from Pahalgam. They walk through rugged terrains, dense forests, and steep climbs, each step a test of faith and endurance. The journey to the cave is as spiritual as the destination itself. The challenging trek is not just a physical journey but a voyage into the depths of one's soul, stripping away worldly concerns and bringing the pilgrim closer to the divine.