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Pilgrims line up to enter the Amarnath cave, one of the most revered Hindu shrines, on June 29, 2012 in Indian Kashmir.
Hindu pilgrims walk along a mountain path as they make their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 30, 2012 near Baltal.
Photographers Kevin Frayer and Daniel Berehulak joined thousands of pilgrims on a trek to the remote Himalayan shrine of Amarnath, which stands at an altitude of 3,888 meters (12,756 feet).
Getty Images reports: Hindu devotees brave sub-zero temperatures to hike over glaciers and high altitude mountain passes to reach the sacred Amarnath cave, which houses an ice stalagmite, a stylized phallus, worshiped by Hindus as a symbol of the god Shiva.
More than 700,000 Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in this year's two-month pilgrimage, according to local officials, putting strains on the environment and political stability of the region, which has long fought for independence from India.
A Hindu holy man wearing little clothing walks down a snowy hill during the traditional journey to the Amarnath cave, near Panitarni on June 28, 2012.
Pilgrims wearing track suits rest on the journey to the Amarnath cave on June 30, 2012.
The camp for Hindu pilgrims is seen at the Amarnath cave, near Sangam on June 29, 2012.
A pilgrim is carried on a palanquin by Kashmiri bearers over a glacier on her way to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 29, 2012.
A Hindu holy man gestures to well-wishers as he is carried down a trail, near Panitarni on June 28, 2012.
A young pilgrim cries as he struggles along the path as he walks with his family during their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 28, 2012 near Baltal.
Pilgrims line up for a meal at a Lungar facility providing free food, near Baltal on June 29, 2012.
Pilgrims walk along a mountain trail during their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 30, 2012
Hindu pilgrims make their way to the Amarnath cave shrine over a glacier near Panchtarni, 93 miles from Srinagar, India, on July 27, 2011
A Kashmiri Muslim horseman tries to comfort a crying Hindu child before resuming their trek towards the holy Amarnath cave shrine from Sheeshnag on July 27.
Hindu pilgrims trek towards the Amarnath cave shrine at Sheeshnag on July 27.
Hindu pilgrims are carried on palanquins by Muslim bearers over a glacier near Amarnath cave on July 28.
About Amarnath Ji Yatra
Amarnath is 145 km east of Srinagar in Kashmir. There is an ice Silva-linga here that changes size with the seasons, and also as the moon waxes and wanes it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about 6 ft high. Each year on the full moon day of July-August (Sravana) when the Siva-linga attains its maximum height there is a festival at this cave temple. It is said that Lord Siva first appeared on this day.
It is located in a glacial valley at 4,175m (13,700 ft.). The cave is about 150 feet high and 90 feet long. Within the cave there are four or five ice formations that resemble the figures of different gods. The biggest figures of different gods. The biggest figure is regarded as Siva (Amarnath). On the left side of the linga is an ice formation called Ganesh, and on the right side is one of Parvati and Bhairava.
The area is covered with snow from September to June. The cave opens only in July and August. This is the rainy season, so pilgrims have to brave the rain to get there. About 25,000 people make this pilgrimage each year. You can also hire ponies and dandies for the trip. It is very crowded during the annual Sravana festival. There is a yearly pilgrimage starting from Srinagar that is led by the Chhari Saheb, the holy seepter.
It is located in a glacial valley at 4,175m (13,700 ft.). The cave is about 150 feet high and 90 feet long. Within the cave there are four or five ice formations that resemble the figures of different gods. The biggest figures of different gods. The biggest figure is regarded as Siva (Amarnath). On the left side of the linga is an ice formation called Ganesh, and on the right side is one of Parvati and Bhairava.
The area is covered with snow from September to June. The cave opens only in July and August. This is the rainy season, so pilgrims have to brave the rain to get there. About 25,000 people make this pilgrimage each year. You can also hire ponies and dandies for the trip. It is very crowded during the annual Sravana festival. There is a yearly pilgrimage starting from Srinagar that is led by the Chhari Saheb, the holy seepter.
The Legend
There is famous Rigvedic Verse that says "Ekam Sat" that is "There is one Being ,the sages call Him by many names." The God (Parmeshwar) has three deities who carry on the world. This is Known as Holy Trinity. Brahma- the creator, Vishnu - the perpetuator of life and Shiva (Mahesh) - the purifier and perpetuator of good and destroyer of evil. Rig Veda refer Shiva as Rudra as in its following verse. "We Worship Tryambaka (Rudra), Who spread Fragrance and Increases Nourishment, May He release me, like the cucumber from its stem, From Mortal Life, But not From Immorality.
The Yajurveda describes Shiva as ascetic warrior Whose robe is of Deer Skin and He carries Trishul.
According to the verse Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, the life is described as having three facets Truth (Satyam), Good (Shivam) and the Beautiful (Sundaram). Shiva is a living God. The most Sacred and ancient books of India, the Rig Veda narrates His presence in the hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy testifies to His existence from the dawn of time. The Mohindaro and Harapa findings confirm Shiva worship in the ancient India. According to the older scriptures, He has three places of His residence. One is Kailash Parvat another is Lohit Giri under which Brahamputra flows and third is Muzwan Parvat.
The Yajurveda describes Shiva as ascetic warrior Whose robe is of Deer Skin and He carries Trishul.
According to the verse Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, the life is described as having three facets Truth (Satyam), Good (Shivam) and the Beautiful (Sundaram). Shiva is a living God. The most Sacred and ancient books of India, the Rig Veda narrates His presence in the hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy testifies to His existence from the dawn of time. The Mohindaro and Harapa findings confirm Shiva worship in the ancient India. According to the older scriptures, He has three places of His residence. One is Kailash Parvat another is Lohit Giri under which Brahamputra flows and third is Muzwan Parvat.
Discovery of Holy Cave
The story narrated by people about the discovery of this Holy Cave is of a Gujjar ( shepherd) Buta Malik. He is given the credit of discovering this Holy Cave. Story goes like this, that a saint gave Buta Malik a bag full of Coal. On reaching his home when he opened the bag, to his utter surprise the bag was full of gold coins. This made him overwhelmed with joy. He ran to thank the Saint . But, what he found was that the Saint had disappeared. Instead, he found The Holy Cave and Shiv Lingam there in. He announced the discovery of this to the Villagers. Then onwards this has become the sacred place of Pilgrimage.
The ancient epics narrate an other story which goes like this. The valley of Kashmir was under water. It was a big lake. Kashyap Rishi drained the water through number of rivers and rivulets. In those days Bhrigu Rishi came that way on a visit to The Himalyas. He was the first to have Darshans of this Holy Cave . When people heard of the Lingam, Amarnath for them became Shiva's abode and a Centre of pilgrimage . Since then Lacs of devotees perform the pilgrimage through tough terrain and avail eternal happiness. The trek to Amarnath, in the month of sharavan ( July-August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a Lingam, is formed naturally of an Ice Stalagmite, which waxes and wanes with the Moon's cycle . By its side are fascinating, two more Ice Lingams, that of Maa Parvati and of their son, Ganesha .
The ancient epics narrate an other story which goes like this. The valley of Kashmir was under water. It was a big lake. Kashyap Rishi drained the water through number of rivers and rivulets. In those days Bhrigu Rishi came that way on a visit to The Himalyas. He was the first to have Darshans of this Holy Cave . When people heard of the Lingam, Amarnath for them became Shiva's abode and a Centre of pilgrimage . Since then Lacs of devotees perform the pilgrimage through tough terrain and avail eternal happiness. The trek to Amarnath, in the month of sharavan ( July-August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a Lingam, is formed naturally of an Ice Stalagmite, which waxes and wanes with the Moon's cycle . By its side are fascinating, two more Ice Lingams, that of Maa Parvati and of their son, Ganesha .
A Hindu pilgrim worships in front of an ice stalagmite, or lingam, in a cave in Kashmir during the annual Amarnath Yatra. Between May and August each year, hundreds of thousands of Hindus make the yatra, or pilgrimage, to a remote cave in the Himalaya, to see the phallic ice structure that they believe is the mark of the god Shiva. (See "Massive Hindu Pilgrimage Melting Sacred Glacier")
The cave is one of the most revered of Hindu shrines, yet the ice stalagmite is melting, in part because of climate change, but also because of the body heat of so many visitors, scientists say. Traditionally, pilgrims arrived on foot or on horseback, picking their way along 30 miles of trail over glaciers and through mountain passes. But increasingly, wealthy visitors have been taking helicopter rides to the site, with a frequency of 300 flights a day.
Ecologists have warned that trash and waste from so many visitors is damaging the fragile alpine environment, which also serves as the headwaters of the vital Indus River.
At 14,028 feet (4,276 meters), Mahagunas Pass is the highest point along the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage route. For disabled pilgrims like Virander Singh, whose legs were shriveled by polio, the tough 30-mile trek can take three days or more.
Hindu pilgrims and Kashmiri Bakarwals (nomads) trudge across a glacier near the sacred Amarnath Cave. To get there, pilgrims must navigate through piles of garbage, water bottles, gas cylinders, and human and animal feces.
With hundreds of thousands of weary pilgrims on the route, trash and waste piles up quickly.
Hindu pilgrims climb a hill on their way to the Amarnath cave, near Brarimarg,125 kilometers (78 miles) northeast of Srinagar, India, Monday. Thousands of pilgrims annually go to the remote Himalayan shrine of Amarnath at 14,500 feet (4,420 meters) above sea level to worship an icy stalagmite representing Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.
Hindu pilgrims with the assistance of Kashmiri guides, make their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave.
Icy streams
Night in a tent in Baltal Base camp
Symbols of harmony: An elderly Hindu devotee is carried by Kashmiri Muslim porters during the pilgrimage from Baltal Base Camp to the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine.
A man carries a boy on his shoulders as they cross a mountain pass enroute to the Amarnath cave. Some 350,000 devotees have registered for the pilgrimage.
AMARNATH YATRA 2010 '
While a majority of the devotees walk, the well-to-do and the infirm can opt ride horseback along the 46-kilometre trek to their destination
A pilgrim carries a trident called "Trishul," a weapon said to be wielded by the God Shiva, as he chants religious slogans on his trek to the Amarnath cave
strengthened by faith
taking a breath
In strife-torn Kashmir, the threat of militancy and violence is never far. Indian soldiers stand guard as pilgrims make their way to the Amarnath cave in the Himalays.
An Indian Border Security Force soldier helps pilgrim along his path to the Amarnath cave, near Dumail, in India's Jammu and Kashmir state.
Hindu holy men and pilgrims celebrate at a campsite during their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave.
Young Hindu pilgrims wait on horses during a traffic jam on a path as they are guided by Kahsmiri men during their and their families pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave.
Kashmiri palanquin carriers wait for customers on a glacier near to the holy Amanarth cave.
Hindu pilgrims ascend a hill to the Amarnath cave shrine amid rain at Sheeshnag, 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Srinagar, India
Hindu pilgrims take bath with ice cold water before visiting the Amarnath cave shrine near Amarnath Cave
Steam comes off the body of an Indian Hindu pilgrim after bathing on a cold morning during the traditional journey to the Amarnath cave.
Thousands of pilgrims set up tents along the 30-mile Amarnath Yatra route. Indian security forces patrol the area to protect visitors from paramilitary groups that have fought for Kashmir’s independence for decades.
A helicopter takes off from Baltal camp, carrying wealthy pilgrims to the sacred cave. A round-trip flight costs about $200. With about 300 flights to the cave every day, some pilgrims complain of the noise and exhaust. Scientists worry that the activity may accelerate melting of the glaciers.
Kashmiri Muslim camp owners collect and boil water for Hindu pilgrims to use in bathing. Shakil Romshoo, a professor of science at Kashmir University, said government should limit the number of tourists and pilgrims to the region to the area’s carrying capacity, or what the area can sustainably support.
An aerial view of pilgrim camps along the route. Experts of the Indian National Geophysical Research Institute have said rising temperatures and the presence of so many pilgrims—who burn wood, use diesel fuel, and leave trash and animal waste—have put a lot of pressure on the fragile mountain ecosystem.
A Hindu pilgrim gets his head shaved as part of a ritual after visiting the Amarnath cave shrine
Hindu pilgrims ascend a hill on their way to the Amarnath cave shrine amid rain at Sheeshnag,
A Hindu pilgrim descends a hill on his way to the Amarnath cave shrine at Brari Marg, 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Srinagar, India
Horses used by pilgrims are tied at a camp site at Sheeshnag,
Barefooted Hindu pilgrims walk their way to the Amarnath cave shrine
Muslim horsemen and laborers eat dinner inside a tent at a Hindu pilgrimage camp site at Sheeshnag,
Hindu pilgrims walk over a glacier as they walk towards the Amarnath cave shrine, in background, near Amarnath Cave
An Indian army soldier patrols a hill top overlooking a Hindu pilgrimage camp site near Pishu Top, 135 kilometers (85 miles) from Srinagar
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