• The annual pilgrimage, known as Amarnath Yatra, to the holy shrine in the caves high up in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir coincides with Shravan Poornima. The Shivalingam at Amarnath is formed of ice. It is the firm belief and trust of Hindus that those who are able to visit this shrine will have no re-birth. Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknown to them, a pair of mating doves eaves dropped on this conversation and having learned the secret; are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Vaishno Devi, situated about 13 kms from town Katra holds the position of the second most visited holy shrine in India. This temple is devoted to Maha Kali, Maha Laxmi and Maha Saraswati; the three Hindu goddesses. Carved in caves, this deity offers courage to all the devotees