Amarnath Temple

Amarnath Temple is a Hindu cave shrine in the Kashmir region that is sacred to followers of Shiva; the site is centred on a naturally forming ice stalagmite inside a Himalayan cave.

Pilgrims reach the cave by one of two main trekking routes and gather at the ice formation, which is regarded as a Shiva linga. The seasonal pilgrimage draws tens of thousands of devotees during the summer yatra period when access is possible and organised by government and religious authorities.

The cave and its pilgrimage tradition are of ancient origin with long-standing religious significance; the Amarnath Yatra has been recorded in historical sources and has continued as a major annual pilgrimage in the modern era. Management and access arrangements have evolved over time to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims.

The shrine is located high in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalaya in the Jammu and Kashmir region and is reached by trekking routes from Pahalgam and Baltal; the cave sits at high altitude within mountainous terrain.

• Seasonal access: The cave shrine sits at high altitude and is typically visited during the summer months; weather and snow make it inaccessible in winter.
• Ice linga: The shrine contains a naturally formed ice stalagmite that is venerated as a Shiva linga and is the central focus of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.

What to See #

• Pahalgam route: The Pahalgam route follows a longer mountain trek through the Lidder Valley and is one of the traditional pilgrim approaches to the cave shrine.
• Baltal route: The Baltal route is a shorter, steeper approach used as a faster access option for the summer pilgrimage season, often supporting pony and porter services.