Best Religious Places to Visit in Pahalgam

Amarnath Cave At an elevation of 12,756 feet above sea level, Amarnath cave is a holy shrine on Mount Amarnath's peak. Amarnath is the holiest shrine of Lord Shiva and one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus, built over a 5000-year-old cave. These caves are about 68 kilometers from Srinagar's capital city and may be reached via Pahalgam.

Inside the mountain cave, water droplets drip down from the top and freeze into ice, forming an ice stalagmite known as Shiv Linga, which Hindus believe is a phallic emblem of Hindu God Lord Shiva. Shiv Linga's natural ice formation grows from May to August and then gradually wanes after that.

This lingam is claimed to expand and decrease with the phases of the moon, reaching its peak during the summer festival of 'Shravan,' the Hindu calendar's fifth month, which runs from July to August. Thousands of devotees from all across India make the long journey to the shrine during this period, risking harsh weather and steep terrain motivated by what they call ‘God’s calling.

Mamleshwara Temple Mamleshwara Temple is a famous Shiva temple located on the banks of the icy Kolahoi River. This single-structured temple, located 2 kilometers from Pahalgam, is entirely made of stone and depicts the heyday of Hindu monarchs. The grandeur of ancient craftsmanship is displayed in temple archaeology. The Rajatrangini recalls King Jayasimha's (1128-1155 AD) redecorating of the temple, which included a gilded finial.

The temple is an important religious site that draws pilgrims from all over the world. It is said that the courtyard's spring is the same where Goddess Parvati used to take a bath and directed his son Ganesha to prohibit anyone's entry while she was inside. Shiva was enraged when Ganesha denied him admission while guarding the entrance. Shiva decapitated Ganesha in rage. Lord Shiva afterward restored his life at Goddess Parvati's request.