A visit to Amarnath leaves an indelible mark in the hearts of the pilgrims. This cave situated on the narrow openings between the mountains of Lidder valley is on a height on 3,888 mts. The yatra can begin either from Srinagar or Pahalgam from where Amarnath is 141 km or 44.8 km respectively. Pahalgam is 96 kms from Srinagar. From Pahalgam the journey to Amarnath is 5 days. The treks are generally during Shravan (July-August).

According to our legends shiva narrated to Parvati the secret of creation, in the caves of Amarnath. Without their knowledge a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on their dialogue. Having learnt it, they are reborn again and again, and have made this cave their eternal abode. These doves have been spotted by many trekkers on their way.

This incredible shrine is flocked with devotees to worship the image of Shiva, in the lingam form. The lingam is formed naturally of an ice- stalagmite which waxes and wanes with the moon. Beside it are two more splendid ice-lingams that of Parvati and their son Ganesha.

The cave is accessible only during the period of July and August and at that time a pure-white lingam comes into being, in the caves. It is a mystic experience to see water droplets trickling slowly from the top of the caves and freeze into ice when they fall. First a solid base is formed and then the lingam begins to rise on it. On Purnima it slowly acquires full form. According to the legends it is on that day, when Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of life to the beautiful daughter of Himalayas, Parvati.

It is incredible, how the ice-lingam is formed on the ice-base and how on the Purnima day it attains its full formation. The pair of pigeons appearing on the scene add to the mystery and makes anyone believe that these occurences are not merely coincidental.

According to an event tales, once a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik was given a sack of coal by sadhu, when he reached home the sack contained gold. static, when he rushed to thank the Sadhu, he discovered a cave at their place of meeting, which later become a place of pilgrimage for the believers. The descendants of Malik are given a percentage of donations even today while the remaining goes to the trust managing the shrine.

Another legend depicts that when Kashyap Reshi drained Kashmir Valley of water, which was once believed to have been a vast lake, the cave and the lingam. It was after this that the Amarnath became Shivas abode and a pilgrimage centre.