Amarnath Yatra

The Amarnath yatra is a Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave temple in Jammu and Kashmir. The pilgrimage is made to the Amarnath shrine located in the Himalayas. The Amarnath cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres (12,756 ft), about 141 kilometres (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The Amarnath yatra is a 45-day pilgrimage which usually starts in the last week of June and concludes in the first week of August. It is considered one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimages and is said to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave is a large ice structure formed inside a Himalayan cave. It is said that the ice stalagmite resembles the shape of a Shivalingam, and thus it is named Amarnath. The Amarnath yatra is a very popular pilgrimage and attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. The yatra is undertaken by devotees from all over India. The route to the Amarnath cave is through difficult mountainous terrain, and hence, it is necessary to take proper precautions while undertaking the pilgrimage.