July-August; full moon of Hindu month of SravanaAmarnath Yatra is a pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave, high in the Kashmir Himalayas, near Pahalgam in northern India. This cave holds a natural ice lingam, the Hindu phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. The trek to the cave, at an altitude of about 12,700 feet, is along narrow, winding mountain trails. The thousands of pilgrims who make this trip include everyone from sadhus (holy men) walking barefoot over the stones and snow to wealthy people being carried by coolies. People can make the yatra, or pilgrimage, for a few months during the year when the paths are accessible, but the full moon day of Sravana has special significance to the devout, since tradition holds that Shiva first made himself manifest in the lingam on this day.
CONTACTS:
Directorate of Information, Jammu and Kashmir Government
Opposite Pratap Park, Abhi Guzar Lal Chowk
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190 001 India
91-194-2452294; fax: 91-194-2452227
www.jammukashmir.nic.in