Baltal, Indian Administered Kashmir, Monday 25th June 2012. A Hindu woman is carried back to the sacred cave by palanquin bearers near Amarnath cave, one of the most revered of Hindu shrines, in Baltal, some 125 km east of Srinagar the summer capital of Indian administered Kashmir, India. More than 5,000 Hindu devotees, braving sub-zero temperatures, began the hike over glaciers and along paths overhanging gorges to reach the sacred Amarnath cave, an annual pilgrimage made by hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees on rugged mountainous terrain. Located in Indian administered Kashmir and is
Baltal, Indian Administered Kashmir, Monday 25th June 2012. A Hindu woman is carried back to the sacred cave by palanquin bearers near Amarnath cave, one of the most revered of Hindu shrines, in Baltal, some 125 km east of Srinagar the summer capital of Indian administered Kashmir, India. More than 5,000 Hindu devotees, braving sub-zero temperatures, began the hike over glaciers and along paths overhanging gorges to reach the sacred Amarnath cave, an annual pilgrimage made by hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees on rugged mountainous terrain. Located in Indian administered Kashmir and is one of the most revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva (creator and the destroyer of they world). The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. Inside the cave is Shiva Linga, an ice stalagmite which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This lingam grows and shrinks with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft) about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the summer capital of main purpose of the pilgrimage is to see the Lingam. In fact, the formation is basically an ice stalagmite. The temple is a popular destination for some Hindus. Last year more than 734,000 persons, the highest recorded number for the cave shrine. More thank 200,000 Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in this year's two-month pilgrimage, during which large number of Indian paramilitary soldiers and policemen are being deployed along the route as protection from attacks by militants who have been fighting for independence of Kashmir since 1989. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Alamy)
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Photo credit: © yawar nazir kabli / Alamy / Afripics
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