Amarnath Yatra
The legend
 During the month of July and August Amarnath Yatra in India is one of the most visited pilgrimage centres, where thousands of devotees from all around the world come to worship the great ice lingam (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva). The ice lingam is an ice stalagmite that waxes and wanes according to the moon cycle. The legend goes that when Maa Parvati insisted on knowing the secret about immortality, Lord Shiva went looking for a secret place where he could recount the secret of creation and immortality to Maa Parvati. It is said that Lord Shiva chose this very cave in Amarnath (Amar means Immortal) to tell the secret. Before telling the secret he made sure that no living form should be able to listen to them but despite his attempts a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on their conversation. Having heard the secret conversation, the pair of doves became immortal and are said to be reborn again and again each year making the holy cave their abode. A number of pilgrims report of having seen the pair of doves and it is believed that if you see the pair of birds during the Yatra then you are lucky and you will attain moksha. In the holy cave besides the main Lingam, there are two more ice lingams, believed to be that of Maa Parvati and Lord Ganesha. The holy cave is open from 18th June to 18th August for the Amarnath Yatra 2008.
The Yatra
The Amarnath Yatra is organized by the J&K government every year in the month of Sravan (July August) according to the Hindu calendar. The Yatra has two routes. One route is from Pahlgam to Chandanwari to the holy cave. The other one is from Baltal to Barari to the holy cave. Both the routes meet together at Sangam. The Chandanwari route is a stretch of 47km but the way is less risky and less steep. On the other hand, Baltal Route is just 14 km, but the stretch is very narrow and has an uneven terrain. There are quite steep slopes on the way and the way becomes even more dangerous during rains. Amarnath is located in the Glacial Valley at the altitude of 4175 mts. Amarnath Yatra in India is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous Yatras because of the nature of the trek, the altitude as well as militant attacks that have taken place in the past. Still lacs of deities take this arduous Yatra to reach the holy cave and offer their prayers to the ice lingam. For the Amarnath Yatra 2008, the board has decided to make a marble Lingam, exact to the size of the ice lingam, which is 6 feet so that when pilgrims reach the cave after making so many efforts, they do not get disappointed because the ice Lingam is not yet formed or due to the natural conditions it has started to melt. It is said that the lingam achieves its full height on the full moon or Sravan Purnima.
Facilities
The charitable trust provides free accommodations and langars at base camps such as Pahlgam, Baltal, Chandanwari and Sangam. Accommodations are provided in tents. The J&K tourism organization also offers food and tents at nominal prices at the base camps. A number of NGOs are also devoted to the cause of helping the pilgrims in the Amarnath Yatra. Medical facilities are also available at the base camps. One can also take ponies or dandis for the Yatra.
Tour bookings
Amarnath Yatra booking can be made online through websites or the various J&K tourism centres spread across India. Before starting for the Yatra you need to book tickets for the Yatra as tight security is maintained outside the cave to prevent any kind of anti social activities. While you make an Amarnath Yatra booking, you can also make bookings for bus tickets or taxis from Jammu to Pahlgam or Jammu to Baltal.
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