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Amarnath Yatra
 The Amarnath cave is at a distance of 141 km from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus. Lakhs of people pay visit to the holy cave during the annual Amarnath Yatra, organised by the State Government during the months of July and August every year, coinciding with the Hindu holy month of Shravan. There are two alternate routes to the temple: the longer and more traditional path from Srinagar, and the shorter route from the town of Baltal.
Some devotees also ride on horse-back to make the journey, especially, the elderly one. Devotees generally take the 42 km (26 mi) pilgrimage on foot from the town of Pahalgam, about 96 km (60 mi) from Srinagar, and cover the journey in four to five days.
Amarnath shrine is dedicate to God Shiva is believed to be 5,000 years old. At the time of yatra, a pure white ice-lingam comes into being inside the cave and acquires full form on Purnima. According to Hindu mythology, this is the cave where Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of life and eternity creation and unknown to them, a pair of doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learnt the secret, is reborn again and again, and has made the cave their eternal abode.
The annual yatra to Holy Amarnath Cave, situated at 14000 ft. above sea level, is organised by the Jammu & Kashmir State Government during the month of July and August. The intending pilgrims are allowed to perform darshan from Ashard Purnimashi to Shravan Purnimashi which course spreads over a month or so.
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