| Occasion: Amarnath Yatra | | | | gave a bag full of coal. On reaching home when he |
| Location: Jammu and Kashmir | | | | opened the bag it was full of gold coins. That made |
| Best Time to visit: June- July | | | | him thrilled and happy. He ran to thank the saint. But |
| Famous Attraction: The snow clad shrine of the Lord | | | | when he gone back the saint was disappeared. |
| Shiva in the beautiful northern India of Jammu and | | | | Instead of that he found the holy Shiv Lingam in that |
| Kashmir | | | | cave. He then announced for the discovery to the |
| Excursion Trip: Jammu and Kashmir, Vaishno Devi, | | | | Holy Amarnath cave. |
| Pahalgam, Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Leh/Ladakh, | | | | Things to do: |
| Kargil. | | | | Trekking in the Amarnath is a thrilling experience for |
| The Trip to Amarnath Yatra is the well known yatra | | | | the devotees who came to visit the Amarnath from |
| that is devoted to the Lord Shiva or Mahadev which is | | | | not only in India but also from the devotees from round |
| located at the height of the around four thousand kms, | | | | the globe. The place is situated at the narrow gorge |
| on the mountain of Amarnath in the Jammu and | | | | and the farther end of the Lidder Valley at around |
| Kashmir. The Yatra of Amarnath is popular in the | | | | 3,888 meters above the sea level. The Amarnath |
| pilgrimage for the Hindus. The Amarnath Yatra starts | | | | Cave is located at at approx 45 km from Pahalgam |
| every year around the month of June and July that is | | | | and is 141 km from Srinagar. The Amarnath Yatra |
| during the festival of Sharavan Mela. | | | | trekking is considered as the most sacred and most |
| There are many mythological stories are linked up with | | | | ancient trek of the country. The extending of the |
| the Amarnath Yatra. According to the tales of | | | | Amarnath Cave is high and shallow. |
| Amarnath, it is said that it is here in the cave of | | | | Do's and Dont's for the pilgrims: |
| Amarnath Lord Shiva has revealed the secrets of | | | | - The people who are not mentally or physically fit |
| immortality to his wife Parvati and therefore the place | | | | must not go for the Yatra as it involves the traveling to |
| has been named as Amareshwar. Amarnath Yatra | | | | the altitude of 14,000 ft. |
| attracts many tourists from not only in India but from all | | | | - The devotees who are going for the Amarnath |
| over the world. Tourists are mainly attracted by the | | | | Yatra must also carry the woolen which can include |
| darshan of ice shiva linga along with the formation of | | | | sweaters, woolen body warmers, trousers, monkey |
| two other ice formations which represents Shri | | | | caps, mufflers, and other cold fighting apparel |
| Ganesha and Mata Parvati. | | | | - A visitor must also carry the eatable stocks like |
| Amarnath Yatra is organized every year by the | | | | biscuit, sugar, candies, chocolate, assorted dry fruits, |
| Jammu and Kashmir government during the month of | | | | milk powder, honey, pickles, and tinned foods. |
| Sharavan (July to August). It is situated at the height of | | | | - Ration foods and firewood must also be carried |
| 14,500 ft and it is full of enthusiasm and thrill. The place | | | | which is available to en route and can be purchased. |
| is surrounded by the cave and prayers are performed | | | | - Alcohol is strictly prohibited in the area. |
| before the Shiva Linga. | | | | - Don't overstrain on steep gradients. |
| Climate: | | | | - Don't relax at places where warning signs are fixed. |
| The climate of the place is very uncertain. Snowfall | | | | - Don't break traffic discipline. |
| and Rain can come anytime, at any place during the | | | | - Do not pay more to any of the hired services for |
| yatra. The temperature can fall up to -5 degree C. | | | | which the prices are fixed. |
| There is no prediction of rain, sunny weather can turn | | | | How to reach Amarnath Yatra? |
| into rain at any time. | | | | Air: The nearest Aerodrome for visiting Amarnath |
| Significance of Amarnath Cave: | | | | Yatra is Srinagar. Srinagar is the most beautiful valley |
| This is the cave that is chosen by Lord Shiva for | | | | which is having the world famous sites like Dal lake, |
| explaining the secret behind immortality and the | | | | Nagina Lake, Shankaracharya temple, Mughal Gardens, |
| creation of the universe to his wife Parvati. Mata | | | | etc. Therefore the place is called as the 'Paradise on |
| Parvati has insisted to speak the secret behind the | | | | Earth'. There are daily flights to Srinagar from Delhi and |
| immortality. He was in search of the lonely cave | | | | Jammu. On some week days flights also pickup |
| where no living being could listen it. He chose the | | | | passengers from Chandigarh and Amritsar. |
| Amarnath cave. During this he left his Nandi (the bull | | | | Rail: Jammu is the nearest Railway Station to the |
| which he drives) at Pahalgam. Lord Shiva has left five | | | | place. Jammu is the beautiful place which is known as |
| elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky) which | | | | the winter capital of the state. And is also known as |
| makes the living being. | | | | the 'city of temples'. It is well connected with all stations |
| Discovery of Holy Cave: | | | | of India. |
| The story was narrated by the people about the Holy | | | | Road: Jammu and Srinagar are also connected |
| Cave is of a Gujjar (shepherd) Buta Malik who has | | | | through road. Buses and Taxis are also available for |
| given the credit for the discovery for the discovery of | | | | this part of the journey .These can be hired on daily as |
| the holy cave. The story of the discovery of | | | | well as full tour basis. |
| Amarnath cave goes on like a saint named Buta Malik | | | | |