Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath (Lord Shiva)

This is a photo of Lord Amarnath taken by Mr. Gangadhar Tambe, during his pilgrimage to Lord Amarnath (Deutsch: Foto der Eissäule von Amarnath - Autor: Gangadhar Tambe, auf einer Pilgerreise nach Amarnath aufgenommen).

This is the opening of the Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath (Deutsch: Die heilige Höhle von Amarnath im Norden Indiens).

The Amarnath cave shrine, dedicated to the Lord Shiva is over 5,000 years old according to ancient scriptures and other historical documents, and it is described in ancient Hindu mythology. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,760 feet), at a distance of about 141 km (88 miles) from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Inside the main Amarnath cave there is an ice stalagmite resembling Shiva Linga, which melts during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This Lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its full height during the summer festival. There are two more ice formations representing Parvati and Shiva's son, Ganesha.

Devotees generally take the 42 km (26 miles) pilgrimage on foot from the town of Pahalgam, about 96 km (60 miles) from Srinagar, and complete the journey in four to five days. There are two routes to the temple - the longer and traditional path from Srinagar, and the shorter route from the town of Baltal. Some devotees ride on horseback also to complete the journey.

This year, as reported by agencies, the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine continued smoothly on Friday as Governor N.N. Vohra and about 6,000 pilgrims offered prayers there. Governor Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), also interacted with the pilgrims there and later at the Baltal base camp.

The pilgrims expressed satisfaction at the arrangements made by the SASB and the state administration for their safe pilgrimage. The governor also visited Panchtarni on the Pahalgam route in south Kashmir to the cave shrine and took stock of snow clearance there.

The traditional south Kashmir route is yet to open as heavy snow still blocks the 34 km track from the Pahalgam base camp to the cave.

Ice Lingam inside the Holy Amarnath Cave

Ice Lingam inside the Holy Cave., originally uploaded by Somesh Goyal.

Hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus and other pilgrims undertake the arduous trek to Amarnath cave shrine every year in the months of June and July.

Maha Ganesh Top - Amarnath Yatra Series

Ganesh- Top Amarnath Yatra Series, originally uploaded by J I G I S H A-a.k.a Nitin Badhwar.

This location is called Maha Ganesh Top. On the entire route for Amarnath Yatra (to the world famous Amarnath cave shrine) all the names of mountain peaks are named after deities of the family of Lord Shiva. Approximate height of this place is over 12000 feet above sea level. Dipping mercury and oxygen levels makes it hard for people to breath there. But the place is so beautiful that one doesn't feel disheartened. After all faith in God always help, the pilgrims claim. This route is open till August 9 . On the day of Rakhi festival this route will be closed for pilgrims and other tourists. The entire route will then be covered with snow and ice.