Amarnath Yatra: A Journey of Faith and Endurance

High up in the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of 12,756 feet, lies the sacred Amarnath Cave, a site where spirituality, devotion, and raw natural beauty converge.

- TDG NETWORK

Every year, thousands of pilgrims undertake the Amarnath Yatra, a journey not just across rugged terrain but into the depths of their faith.

THE LEGEND BEHIND THE CAVE

According to Hindu mythology, it was in this very cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality (the Amar Katha) to Goddess Parvati. To ensure no living being overheard, he left behind his companions—the bull Nandi, the moon, even his snakes—before narrating the tale.

It is believed that two pigeons, who had been quietly listening, attained immortality themselves, and pilgrims claim to spot them near the cave even today.

Inside the cave, nature performs its miracle: a shivling of ice forms each year as water droplets freeze, growing and waning with the moon's cycles.

THE ROUTES: TRADITION AND CHALLENGE

The yatra traditionally takes two routes: