PHOTOS: Hindu pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave in Kashmir
August 18, 2013
An elderly Hindu devotee is carried by Kashmiri Muslim porters during the pilgrimage from Sangam to the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, in Srinagar on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176462 )
A view of the Amarnath Cave on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176727 )
Hindu devotees walk during their pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, at Bairey Marg on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176538 )
Indian paramilitary troopers stand guard near a camp at Bairey Marg on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAFATAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176725 )
A Kashmiri Muslim carries belongings of Hindu pilgrims in Sangam on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522177147 )
Hindu devotees ride horses near Amarnath Cave on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176704 )
Kashmiri muslims walk with horses on a glacier near Amarnath Cave on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176684 )
Hindu devotees walk during their pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, in Bairey Marg on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176492 )
Hindu devotees ride horses on a glacier near Amarnath Cave on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAFATAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176527 )
Hindu devotees walk during their pilgrimage from Baltal Base Camp to the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, in Baltal on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176481 )
An elderly Hindu devotee is carried by Kashmiri Muslim porters during the pilgrimage from Sangam to the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, in Srinagar on August 18, 2013. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the Amarnath cave, located at an altitude of 3,857 meters (12,729 feet), where a Shiva Lingam, an ice stalagmite shaped as a phallus and symbolizing the Hindu God Shiva, stands for worship. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images ( 522176924 )
An Indian Hindu Holy man gestures to well-wishers as he is carried down a trail during the traditional journey to the Amarnath cave, near Panitarni, 135 kms (83 miles) from Srinagar, India on Thursday, June 28, 2012. Thousands of pilgrims annually go to the remote Himalayan shrine of Amarnath at 3,888 m (12,756 ft) above sea level to worship an icy stalagmite representing Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) ( APTOPIX India Kashmir Hindu Pilgrimage )
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