Amarnath

Famous for:
Holy place for Hindu known tor the lingam of Lord Shiva formed naturally by ice.


Video: Shri Amarnath Lingam

Background:
Believers have been taking yatra to the holy caves of Amarnath for over hundred years to seek blessings of the natural ice lingam of lord Shiva.
Every year thousands of pilgrims make their yatra in the months of July - August when the caves are opened. The rest of the time of the year, the weather does not permit anyone to reach the caves.
There are many stories and belief associated with the caves and the famous amongst them is about two mating pigeons who had overheard Lord Shiva telling the secret of the Amarnath Caves to Parvati.
Since then the two pigeons are reborn again and again and many people have claimed to have seen pigeons flying towards the caves.


Video: Near the Amarnath Caves

What to see:
There are three lingams, which are formed naturally by ice. The larger one represents Lord Shiva while the smaller one on right is believed to represent Parvati while the one on the left represents Ganeshji.
The height of the caves is about 46 m /150 feet and the length is about 28 m /90 feet.


Video: Sadhu in Amarnath

Reaching there:
Pahalgam (46 km) is the base for the pilgrimage trek. From here its five day trek to Amarnath Caves.

Air: Srinagar Airport (141 km) is the nearest airport to Amarnath.

Rail: There is no direct rail link to Amarnath. The nearest Railway station is Jammu (315 km).

Road: NH 1 A (Jalandhar - Madhopur - Jammu - Banihal - Srinagar - Baramula - Uri) is the nearest National Highway to Amarnath.
Pahalgam (46 km) is the nearest road head.
The Yatra route is as follows: Srinagar - Pahalgam (96 km) - Chandanwari (16 km, 2896 mt/9500 ft) - Pissu Top (3 km, 3300 mt/11,000 ft) - Sheshnag (9 km, 3575 mt / 11,700 ft) - Panchtarni (12 km, 3657 mt /12,000 ft) - Caves (6 km, 4420 m / 14,500 ft)
Reach Pahalgam from Srinagar. Next day early morning, depart for Sheshnag. Stay there overnight. Depart the next day for Panchtarni and halt there for the night. The caves are 6 km from here.


Video: Amarnath Pilgrimage


Video: Amarnath helicopter journey

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Alchi

Famous for:
Its 11th century monasteries, it is known as jewel amongst Ladakh's monastic foundations.


Video: Awesome Alchi

Background:
 Known as the jewel amongst Ladakh's monastic foundations, Alchi is famous for its 11th century monasteries.
Located in the valley at the left bank of the Indus river in the Ladakh region, Alchi was once a vital contact for trade & culture.
Many monasteries at Alchi survived the invading Islamic armies, who under the pretax of Islam disallowing worship of idols of Buddha and destroyed many Buddhist monuments and places of worship.
The shrines at Alchi are considered to be among the most extensive examples of Buddhist art in Kashmir region by scholars.
Alchi also has some well preserved paintings and murals, which are over 900 years old.


Video: Alchi Gompa- ladakh

What to see:
Da - Khang
Made in around 11th century AD, the Da-Khang (assembly hall) is one of the most famous and the earliest of the temples at Alchi. It is the temple richest in paintings and images.

Sum - tsek
This three storied Buddhist temple is known for the bright colored murals dating back to the 11th and 12th century. They even pre-date the Tibetan style of painting and reminds of paintings in Ajanta caves. They are believed to be the sole survivors of the old Buddhist style prevailig in Kashmir during the first millennium AD.

Lotsawa Lha-Khang and Manjushri Lha-Khang
The two adjoining shrines of Lotsawa Lha-Khang and Manjushri Lha-Khang are known for images of thousand Buddha and gods and goddesses on the murals and walls.


Video: Prayer Wheel Alchi Gompa, Ladakh 

Sites nearby 
Likir
Location: 20 km from Alchi on the Leh - Alchi raod.
Likir has a monastery, which was built in the 18th century and is the nearest functioning monastery to Alchi. The monks residing here take care of the monasteries of Achi. The Likir monastery has huge clay images of Buddha and houses various manuscripts.

Hemis monasteries
Location: 45 km from Leh
The Hemis monastery was built in 1630 and the Hemis festival celebrated here in the month of June provides great opportunity to see Ladakhi culture and traditions.

Leh
Location: 65 km from Alchi
Leh is the capital of Ladakh and is the only big town in the region. It is breathtakingly beautiful and the famous sites to visit are the Leh Palace, Leh Mosque & many gampos.


Video: The Indus river on the way to Alchi

Reaching there:
Air: Leh Airport (65 km) is the nearest airport from Alchi.
Road: There is no National Highway passing through or near Alchi. Leh (65 km) is the nearest large town and is very well connected with Alchi with good road and regular buses & taxis ply between Leh to Alchi. The distance is covered in 2 ½ hours.

Alchi is also accessible from Srinagar (430 km) and Manali (470 km), which is the second highest motorable road reaching 5328 m at Taglang La. The road remains open between June till Mid-October.

Rail: There is no train access to Alchi. 

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