Amarnath Temple

Mythology

According to Hindu mythology, the Amarnath cave, also called Amaresha and Amareshwara, is the site where Shiva revealed the secret of immortality, known as “Amar Katha,” to his wife, the goddess Parvati. The name Amarnath translates to “Immortal God,” one of the many names of Shiva. The legend explains that a curious Parvati, who was caught in the cycle of rebirth (samsara), asked Shiva to reveal the secret of his immortality. Shiva agreed and chose the secluded Amarnath cave to share the secret. He entered samadhi (a state of deep concentration) and created kalagni, a sacred fire, to ensure that no other being overheard the discourse, as knowledge of immortality was believed to disrupt the natural order of creation. However, a pair of pigeons residing in the cave inadvertently overheard the secret. It is said that the pigeons became immortal, and pilgrims may spot them inside the cave even today—a viewing that is considered a divine blessing. This legend underscores the cave’s sanctity, marking it as a Hindu pilgrimage site. The cave is also regarded as one of the shaktipithas—sacred sites where different parts of the goddess Sati are believed to have fallen after her self-immolation. Each pitha is regarded as a seat of divine female energy, or shakti.

Texts and traditions

The history of the Amarnath cave shrine is rooted in both ancient texts and local traditions. Its earliest mention is found in the Nilamata Purana, a text that describes the religious life of the people of Kashmir. Other references appear in texts such as the Bhrigu Samhita (“Compendium of Bhrigu”), an astrological treatise attributed to the sage Bhrigu, and the Amarnath Mahatmya. The 12th-century chronicle Rajatarangini (Sanskrit: “River of Kings”), by the historian Kalhana, records that Sandimati, a ruler of Kashmir (34–17 bce), visited the ice lingam.

Folklore from Kashmir recounts the cave’s discovery by a shepherd named Buta Malik. According to legend, a sage gave Malik a sack of coal, which turned into gold when the shepherd reached home. Malik went back to thank the sage but found only the sacred cave housing the naturally formed ice lingam. He shared his discovery with villagers, transforming the cave into a pilgrimage site.

The Amarnath yatra

The most well-known origin story of the Amarnath pilgrimage is found in the Sanskrit text Bringesha Samhita. It recounts how sage Bringesha taught his disciples the significance of the Amarnath cave and guided them to visit the lingam. As the pilgrims faced threats from rakshasas (demons), Bringesha prayed to Shiva, who gifted him a silver mace for protection. This mace—later known as the Chhari Mubarak—has remained central to the yatra, which culminates annually during the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, observed on the full moon of August. The event is marked by a ceremonial procession of the mace to the cave, led by its custodian and accompanied by sadhus (ascetics) and devotees chanting mantras to Shiva—who is often addressed as Bhole—such as “bam bam Bhole” (“Hail Bhole!”).

Pilgrims use two primary routes to the temple: a 28-mile (45-km) trek from Pahalgam or a 9-mile (14-km) route from Baltal. Though the terrain is challenging and the altitude demanding, improvements—such as drivable roads, medical facilities, and, in some years, helicopter services—have made the pilgrimage safer. Horses, ponies, mules, and palanquins are often used by pilgrims to reach the temple. To ensure safety and effective crowd management, all pilgrims have to register with the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, adhere to safety guidelines, and carry radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for tracking and security.

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Challenges and developments

The Amarnath yatra faces a number of challenges, including security threats, unpredictable weather, and ecological strain. Because Kashmir has been a hotbed of militancy and insurgency, the site’s location in south Kashmir has been vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The yatra was suspended from 1991 to 1995, though a limited number of pilgrims attempted the journey during that time despite the risks. The pilgrimage resumed in 1996 after militant groups promised noninterference, prompting a surge in pilgrim turnout. Terror attacks targeting pilgrims and yatra convoys have occurred since the 1990s—including major incidents in 1993, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2017, and 2024—resulting in casualties and reinforcing the need for vigilant security. Sudden weather events have also led to tragedies, such as the 1996 snowstorm that claimed more than 250 lives. During the 2012 pilgrimage more than 130 people died, many because of the physically demanding nature of the high-altitude trek, compounded by health issues and occasional adverse weather. In July 2022 a sudden cloudburst near the cave set off flash floods, killing at least 13 people and injuring several others.

Authorities have invested in significant infrastructure upgrades. In 2023 a project was approved to build a 68-mile (110-km) road, named Amarnath Marg, and a railway line connecting the subdistrict of Anantnag to Pahalgam. The Border Roads Organisation has widened key tracks, added safety features such as railings and lighting, and enabled vehicle access for logistics and emergency services. Medical facilities include camps equipped with oxygen support, 24-7 ambulance services, and critical care units at key points along the route. Under the Indian government’s Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, eco-friendly measures have been adopted—such as waste segregation stations, improved waste and septage processing, a ban on single-use plastics, and public awareness campaigns.