Great rewards are only won after a difficult task is completed successfully and nothing is more important for a devout Hindu than the blessings of Lord Shiva worshipped in the cave of Amarnath. References to the fact that the Himalayas are the abode of Lord Shiva can be found in holy Hindu scriptures. More precisely, Amarnath is situated in a narrow gorge at a farther point of the beautiful Lidder Valley. The holy caves can be reached from a place called Pahalgam and from Srinagar. While from Srinagar the distance is nearly 141 kilometers or a little more, from Pahalgam it is 45 kilometers.

Vehicles from Pahalgam are available now days apart from ponies and dandies (chairs attached to poles and carried by porters) but the last bit of the journey from Pahalgam has to be undertaken on foot. If you start your journey from Pahalgam, then halts have to be made at three places namely- Chandanwari, Wawjan and Panchtarni, which is the last stop. From Chandanwari the way leads upwards to Pishu Ghati. From there, the pilgrims reach a place called Seshnag, passing which the night halt is at Wawjan. The route which leads from Chandanwari has been developed in recent times. The journey has become easier with addition of strong culverts and bridges.

Panchtarni is the last stop. The journey includes a steep ascent of 13 kilometers, finally descending into the lush green meadows of Panchtarni. The Amarnath cave is just 6 kilometers away from here.