Amarnath Temple, Hindu temple in Anantnag district, India.
Amarnath is a cave temple at 3888 meters in the Himalayas that houses a natural ice formation shaped like a Shiva Lingam, which can reach up to three meters in height. The cave sits in a remote valley accessible only during summer months.
In the 16th century, a Muslim shepherd discovered the sacred cave and shared its location with surrounding villages. Since then, the site has drawn devotees from across India every year.
Thousands of pilgrims travel to the shrine during a 45-day period in July and August to pray and leave offerings. Many devotees wear saffron robes and chant prayers as they climb through the mountains.
Two routes lead to the cave temple: a shorter path from Baltal base camp and a longer trail through Pahalgam. The trek requires stamina because of the high altitude and steep sections.
The ice formation changes size according to lunar phases and reaches its maximum during the full moon. Alongside the main formation, smaller ice columns often appear, symbolizing the family of Shiva.
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