About Amarnath Temple and Yatra

• The holy shrine of Amarnath Ji, or Amarnath Temple, is located at an elevation of 3,888 meters approx, about 29 kilometers from Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
• Inside the cave is a Shiva Lingam (a phallus shaped formation made of ice), considered to be the most holy symbol by Hindus all across the globe.
• An underground stream emerges and the water freezes to form a tall cone of ice.
• Devotees visit it in large numbers from June to August, with the pilgrimage tour famously known as Amarnath Yatra, which begins from Chandanwari.
• It is considered to be one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, or the holiest shrines in Hinduism.

Why in News?

• The J&K administration performed the rituals to kickstart the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, where only 500 pilgrims will be allowed to trek to the holy shrine from central Kashmir’s Baltal area.
• Due to the pandemic, the pilgrimage is likely to be held from July 23 to August 3 only from the Baltal track and not the traditional route of Pahalgam in south Kashmir.