The Amarnath Yatra undertaken every year by thousands of devotees started yesterday. The first batch of devotees made their way to Kashmir’s western Himalayas on Monday for darshan at the cave which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Legend reveals that this holy cave is the site where Shiva explained the mysteries of life and eternity to his consort Parvati. Pilgrims journey here in the summer months to offer prayers at shiva lingam inside the cave, which apparently grows and shrinks with the phases of the moon.

Devotees visit the holy shrine on foot from Srinagar or Pahalgam. There are several makeshift tea shops along the route for the visiting pilgrims. The yatra ends on August 2.

While in Kashmir for the yatra, visitors can also explore Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Srinagar.