Mamaleswara:
Only a km or so downstream and on the
opposite bank of the Lidder this small Shiva
temple with Its square, stone tank is
thought to date back at least to the 12th
century.
Baisaran
There are excellent views over the town
and the Lidder Valley from this meadow, five
km from Pahalgam. A further 11 km takes you
to the Tulian Lake at 3353 metres. It is ice
covered for much of the year.
Aru
The pleasant, little village of Aru
makes a very interesting day walk, following
the Lidder River for 11 km upstream
Unfortunately the main track also takes
cars, This is actually the first stage of
the Kolahoi Glacier trek.
Amarnath
47 kms from Pahalgam, 96 kms
from Srinagar, altitude 3962 metres.
History departs tha t the first
pilgrimage to Amarnath was
undertaken in 1000BC. Though little
else is known of the antiquity of
Amarnath the Amarnath Yatra will be
undertaken in July August and
thousands of devotees walk some on
pony back or are carried to pay
obecience at the cave. The cave of
Sri Amarnath is believed to be the
abode of Lord Shiva. The object of
wirship here is a stalactive in the
share of a Lingam, formed by water
driping though the lime stone roof
of the cave. The Lingam waxes and
wares with the moon. By its side are
to other ice Lingams. Though of
Parvati and their son Ganesh.
The state governments makes
elaborate arrangements for the yatra. |