Religious/ Spiritual

Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley, Amarnath cave stands at 3,888 m. and is 46 Km. From Pahalgam and 141 Km. from Srinagar. Though the original pilgrimages subscribes that the Amarnath yatra be undertaken from Srinagar, the more common practice is to begin journey at Chandanwari, and cover the distance to Amarnath and back in five days. Pahalgam is 96 Km. Srinagar.
Amarnath is regarded as one of principal Hindu Dhams. The holy cave is the residence of the holy trinity, Shiva lord. The guard of the absolute, lord Shiva, the destroyer, is present in the form of ice Lingam in this cave located at a more remote end of the valley of Lidder. This lingam is made naturally of a stalagmite of ice which awakes and weakens with the moon.

THE YATRA

Sheshnag Lake, a mountain lake, is located at a distance of 27 km from Pahalgam. Perched at an altitude of about 3,658 m above sea level, it takes a two day hiking from Pahalgam to reach this lake.

The water of this greenish blue lake is covered with ice till the month of June. The lake has derived its name from its seven peaks. Each of the seven peaks resembles the heads of a mythical snake.

According to the legend, Sheshnag Lake is situated at the same place where Lord Shiva left his snake on his way to Amarnath Cave. During the months of summer, which is also the peak time to visit the Amarnath Cave, large numbers of tourists do camping at the lake side.

Located at a walking distance from Pahalgam, Mamaleshwara Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. This small temple has a square shaped tank made of stone. The temple is believed to have been built in the 12th century or even earlier.

Mamaleshwara is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which was built in 12th century during the rule of King Jayasima, if not earlier. It is only a km away from Pahalgam. This stone temple witnesses a large number of locales coming to offer their prayers.

Chandanwari, situated at a distance of 16 km from Pahalgam, lies at an elevation of 2,923 m. Famous for its snow bridge, this location serves as the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra that takes place every year, from July to August. With a fairly flat terrain linking Chandanwari to Pahalgam, the location is easily accessible by car.

The pilgrimage site of Sarthal Devi, with its 18-armed goddess statue, is 19 km from the town. Kishtwar also has the tombs of two important Muslim saints.

The holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most revered places of worship for Hindus in northern India. Dedicated to Goddess Shakti, Mata Vaishno Devi cave temple is nestled on top of the Trikuta hills forming a part of the lower Himalayas in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Maintained by the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the sacred cave of Mata Rani is 30 meter long and just one and a half meter high. It is here that Maa Vaishno Devi merged her Human form with the astral form of her creators, the three Supreme Energies.Chennai Flights

This holy cave is nearly a kilometer long and houses a 4 ft high, naturally formed 'Shivling'. It is considered second only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in religious importance. There are stalactites & stalagmites dripping milky limestone water from the ceiling. Situated at a distance of about 100 kms from Jammu and about 75 kms from Katra, Shiv Khori hosts a major fair on Shivratri day every year.

The ancient temple of Goddess Kali located inside the Bahu Fort built by Raja hu Lochan is frequented by a large number of tourists. The temple is hardly 4km from the Jammu Railway Station.

Located 10 kms from Katra (1 km on foot) is Baba Dhansar, a beautiful and cool picnic spot. Here, a huge spring gushes out of the mountainside in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small waterfalls before flowing into the holy Banganga. Next to the spring in a small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed 'Shivling' on which droplets of water fall naturally all the year round. A major 'mela' (fair) is held here during Shivratri.

Nestled along the bank of Mighty River Chinab, Baba Banda Bahadur was a famous soldier of Emperor Aurangazeb, who fought against Mughals and became a great disciple of Shri. Guru Govind Singh Ji Maharaj. At about 30 kms from Katra lies this major Hindu-Sikh pilgrimage centre. Baba Banda Bairaagi was Guru Gobind Singh's favourite 'Saint-soldier', who had the gurudwara constructed on the banks of river Chenab, where he spent his last days.