Every year on SHRAVAN PURNIMA, Indians celebrate festival of "RAKSHA BANDHAN". Same day, thousands of devotees visit AMARNATH cave to worship Baba Pashupatinath i.e. Lord Shiva to see the self created Shivlingam The whole valley is overwhelmed with the holy mantra of "Om Namaha Shivay".

The Amarnath Cave was found by a muslim shepherd boy named Buta Malik. One day, while grazing his cattle in the mountains of Himalayas, he met a monk. The monk gave him a bowl full of coal. When he returned home, the coal was converted into gold. He was surprised and returned back to that monk ; but instead of the monk, he saw a holy cave. From that day, the cave became a place of pilgrimage. So whatever money is offered at Amarnath cave by devotees, half of it goes to the family of Buta Malik.

The famous AMARNATH cave is situated at the height of 12,729 feet in between snow covered mountains and is about 90 miles away from Srinagar. The length, width, height of this nature created cave is 60, 30 & 15 feet respectively.



Inside the cave, the holy ice-lingam is situated on a natural platform of ice. This ice-lingam reaches a height of about 8 meters from Amvasya to Purnima. The height of Shivlingam reduces after Purnima but never disappears fully. Devotees believe that on Purnima, it reaches its maximum height that is why Pilgrims visit the Amarnath cave on Purnima.

On the ice gate of Amarnath Cave, two ice platform for God Ganesha & Goddess Parvati are also created. It is believed that water from Shri Ramkund (Pond) which is situated above the cave falls drop by drop on the holy Shivlingam.


Down the cave, a river named Amravati flows, devotees first take bath in it before visiting the cave.

The journey starts with a holy stick which is called "SHREE CHADI MUBARAK". The head monk of DESHNAMI AKHARA OF SHRINAGAR for 1008 Paramhanse Krishnanand Sarswati starts the 143 k.m. long journey with hundreds of monks & the holy stick. The first stop of holy stick is a place named Paompur, next is Brijbehara then Aishkumar & from Aishkumar, it reaches to Pahalgam. Pahalgam is the place where thousands of devotees join the journey to visit Baba Amarnath.

So the main Journey starts from PAHALGAM. The way from Pahalgam to the Holy cave is one of the most scenic routes which includes ice valleys, water falls, ice covered Ponds etc.

Pahalgam is a small town situated on the bank of Lidder river. Government guesthouses and hotels are available here for stay. Here anyone can get the necessary items for a journey on rent. It is necessary for a Pilgrim to take woollen clothes, raincoat, umbrella, stick, torch, candle, polythene bag, thermos etc. Food is available on the way to Amarnath Cave at different places but it is better to take some light food with oneself.

Pahalgam - Three days before the Shravan Purnima, the journey starts from Pahalgam with the holy stick & thousands of devotees chanting "Har Har Mahadev".

Pahalgam to Chandanwadi - The next stop is Chandan wadi which is 16 k.m. away from Pahalgam. Chandan wadi is a beautiful valley situated at a height of 8,500 feet from sea level. The centre of attraction in Chandan wadi is an ice bridge on Lidder river. Restaurants and hotels are also available here.

Chandan wadi to Sheshnag and then to Amarnath Caves - The distance is 13 km. In the beginning, the route is parallel to the lidder river. Then comes the Pissu top.

After crossing the Pissu top, pilgrim's reach the Shesh Nag. It is situated at the height of 1200 feet. In Shesh Nag lies the origin of lidder river. Here pilgrims rest in tents and after taking bath in cold water, they again start their journey.

From Shesh Nag, the second phase of journey starts towards PANCHATARANI which is 13 k.m. away. On the way, pilgrims cross the PanchGunas mountain which is 14,500 feet in height. After crossing this mountain, people reach Panchtarani which is a meeting point of 5 rivers.

After taking the bath, the devotees move towards the Amarnath Caves  which is just 6 k.m. ahead. Panchtarani is the last stop before the caves. The cave is open from 1st week of July till the end of Aug. 

The Amarnath Cave