Every summer during the Hindu holy month of Shraavana (July-August), followers of the Hindu faith make the trek from the city of Pahalgam to the sacred Amarnath Cave Temple. Since many tourists already find themselves in Pahalgam due to its beautiful hotels, majestic mountains, and skiing during the winter, the Amarnath pilgrimage has also caught on with visitors. However, it’s important to remember that the pilgrimage and the destination are both important parts of the Hindu religion. The Amarnath Temple itself is believed to be over 5,000 years old, and appears in many ancient writings like those of Aryaraja (34 BCE 17 CE), who summered at the site.The cave is considered to be the home of Shiva on Earth, and contains an ancient ice lingam which Aryaraja also mentioned. The lingam has begun melting in recent years, for which many blame global warming. The pilgrimage has remained steady despite recent difficulties. Making the full journey from Pahalgam to Amarnath (45 km) takes four days. During the night, pilgrims camp at the sites of Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, reaching the cave early in the morning on the fourth day. They are allowed to enter the cave, but only for a short time due to the heavy demand of the festival months. Afterwards, the pilgrims return to Pancharni and either head back toward Pahalgam or take a different route through Zojibal.Being in the presence of the cave is a sobering experience for any spiritual person, with the Shivalinga a reminder of how the Hindu religion has survived for so many millennia. The trip is well worth it for any admirer of peace and beauty, no matter what their affiliation. If you are a tourist, be sure to check with local authorities before making the journey.