According to mythology, it is believed that on continuous persuasion by Parvati, Lord Shiva recounted the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknown to them, a pair of doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learnt the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the doves pair when they pay curtsy before the ice lingam (the symbol of Shiva). |
The word Ling in Shiv Ling has come from two words that are Leen and Gati. Leen means dissolve and Gati means grow. It means man should dissolve (Leen) in Shiva then he should grow(Gati). (leen+ga) = ling. |
It is believed that an ice Shiva Ling forms in the cave of Amarnath in every lunar month. The Shiva Ling starts taking shape on the first day of the bright half of the month and forms fully on the full moon day and then begins to dissolve on the no moon day. |
Location:Approximately 145 km from Srinagar |
How to Reach:The nearest airport is Badgam District, while the nearest railhead is that of Jammu.You can also undertake a trek to Amarnath from Pahalgam and Baltal. |
Time of Yatra:July to August |
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There are four to five ice figures resembling various deities inside the Amarnath cave. As per the custom, the largest one is believed to be of Amarnath (Lord Shiva), one on its left of Lord Ganesha and ones on the right of Parvati and Bhairava respectively. |
