Hindu temple
Amarnath Cave Temple
Also known as Amarnath, Shri Amarnath.
In short
The Amarnath Cave high in the Himalayas of Kashmir is one of Hinduism's most revered Shiva shrines, where Shiva is worshipped as a lingam of ice that forms naturally each year. Reached by an arduous mountain pilgrimage, it is where tradition says Shiva told Parvati the secret of immortality.
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Key facts
- Presiding deity
- Shiva
- Significance
- A sacred Shiva cave shrine, famed for its natural ice lingam
- Location
- near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Significance
Shiva is worshipped here as a natural ice Shivling that waxes and wanes with the moon — formed by water freezing drop by drop in the cave.
Tradition holds this is the cave where Shiva revealed the secret of immortality (amar katha) to Parvati — hence Amarnath, 'lord of the immortal'. The annual Amarnath Yatra, in the month of Shravan, is among the most arduous and revered of Hindu pilgrimages.
History
An ancient shrine honoured for centuries; the annual Amarnath Yatra draws great numbers of pilgrims to the high Himalayan cave during the summer pilgrimage season.
How to reach
A high-altitude cave in the Himalayas near Pahalgam and Baltal (Sonamarg), Jammu and Kashmir, reached on foot or pony during the Shravan yatra season.
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About Amarnath Cave Temple
What is special about the Amarnath cave?
Shiva is worshipped there as a lingam of ice that forms naturally each year, in the cave where tradition says he told Parvati the secret of immortality.
When is the Amarnath Yatra?
During the Hindu month of Shravan (around July–August), when the ice lingam forms and the Himalayan pilgrimage route is open.
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