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amarna:th
(Amarnath Cave, over 12,000 feet above sea level) is a Hindu place of pilgrimage
which is visited by thousands of devoted Hindus every year. It is eighty-seven
miles from Srinagar. The
(cave) is at the top of the snowclad mountain, and below it there is a
small stream called  .
It is claimed that a 
(Skt. lingam) made of ice can be found inside the cave. The most
important day of pilgrimage is
. One passes through extremely picturesque and breathtaking scenery on
the way to the .
There are several legends about this cave.
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A
is a stretcher or litter carried by two to four men. Usually it is
used to carry women and infirm pilgrims to the amarna:th
cave (see HJ pp. 659-661).
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A
is a holy man, often one who has completely renounced the world. The amarna:th
temple attracts a large number of such people.
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A
is the phallus-like representation of Lord Shiva. The
made of stone may be found in every Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The
Shankracharya Temple is one of these.
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(Hindi
 )
is the day of the full moon in the month of 
(Hindi  ).
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