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Kevin Frayer / AP
Pilgrims line up to enter the Amarnath cave, one of the most revered Hindu shrines, on June 29, 2012 in Indian Kashmir.
Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images
Hindu pilgrims walk along a mountain path as they make their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 30, 2012 near Baltal.
Photographers Kevin Frayer and Daniel Berehulak joined thousands of pilgrims on a trek to the remote Himalayan shrine of Amarnath, which stands at an altitude of 3,888 meters (12,756 feet).
Getty Images reports:
Hindu devotees brave sub-zero temperatures to hike over glaciers and high altitude mountain passes to reach the sacred Amarnath cave, which houses an ice stalagmite, a stylized phallus, worshiped by Hindus as a symbol of the god Shiva.
More than 700,000 Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in this year's two-month pilgrimage, according to local officials, putting strains on the environment and political stability of the region, which has long fought for independence from India.
See pictures of last year's pilgrimage to Amarnath on PhotoBlog
Kevin Frayer / AP
A Hindu holy man wearing little clothing walks down a snowy hill during the traditional journey to the Amarnath cave, near Panitarni on June 28, 2012.
Kevin Frayer / AP
Pilgrims wearing track suits rest on the journey to the Amarnath cave on June 30, 2012.
Kevin Frayer / AP
The camp for Hindu pilgrims is seen at the Amarnath cave, near Sangam on June 29, 2012.
Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images
A pilgrim is carried on a palanquin by Kashmiri bearers over a glacier on her way to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 29, 2012.
Kevin Frayer / AP
A Hindu holy man gestures to well-wishers as he is carried down a trail, near Panitarni on June 28, 2012.
Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images
A young pilgrim cries as he struggles along the path as he walks with his family during their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 28, 2012 near Baltal.
Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images
Pilgrims line up for a meal at a Lungar facility providing free food, near Baltal on June 29, 2012.
Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images
Pilgrims walk along a mountain trail during their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 30, 2012.
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Their Crazy, nuff said.
Indian civilization is more than 8000 years old. It may even be far older. I hate to break it to you, but the folks over there just continue very, very ancient traditions and customs...... they really don't give a hoot what you think...... just as you don't seek their approval to worship in the manner you choose. Live and let live.
Hindus have never invaded another race or people, Hindus have never colonized another nation, Hindus have never enslaved another people, Hindus have never converted others into the faith---you have to be born into it---Hindus accept all other religions as different paths to the same god. This is why in India you will see Hindu parents willing to send their children to Christian schools. This is why you will find one of the world's oldest synogogues in India.
Wiseone - I hate to break it to you but Hindus are like any other race, no better, no worse. They kill just like others have done in the past. 1984 - 1995, they killed 100,000 Sikhs in Delhi and Punjab. In 2002, they killed 10,000 Muslims in Gujurat. In 1992, they tore down a 400 year old Mosque. Oh and they only send their kids to Christian schools because those schools do a much better job of teaching English.
Ditto
Too bad they don't believe or know the truth that there is one God in Three Devine Persons and Jesus Christ the only Son of God, who became Man, died to save them from their sins
You mean, too bad they don't realize there is no such thing as a god? It's 2012; I think it is time people started living in reality.
Amazing !!
Steven Carlson, too bad you don't realize that the Christian scriptures were merely copied from the Hindu Vedas and given a Jewish coloring.
No what's too bad is those who don't have a belief. 1012, 2012 or 3012 there will always be God whether u believe or not.
Prove it, rbk.
live and let live. Crazy by our standards maybe but not by theirs. My Hindu neighbors, although very withdrawn, are never bothersome and seem to be good people. I don't think I'd make that hike to go to my own church. I haven't heard of any Hindu's trying to terrorize us.
Well Steve, YOUR truth is not the same as THEIR truth, and in fact theirs is much older. How do you know for sure that theirs is wrong and yours is right? Did someone tell you that?
Remember, one size does not fit all....
There is only one truth. The Universe is what it is, anyone's opinions and beliefs which don't conform to that truth are simply errors, lies, or delusions.
Science supplies us with tools to learn the truth about the universe. Religion doesn't. Religion is all lies and delusion dreamed up out of whole cloth by savages 2000 or more years ago, and blindly accepted by credulous easily deluded followers to this day. Religion provides no hard evidence, no repeatable experimental tests, to prove any of its absurd claims. It is just malarkey, hokum plain and simple.
This may color your perspective on scientists,
now.msn.com/living/0707-bogus-research.aspx
After seeing these comments and so called advanced "Westerners", it is very clear that there are still many "Neanderthals" that live even in 2012, except for "laidbackinhouston and aerojef". The comments also show the uneducated/illogical/dumb brains of reality. BTW, Hinduism (Sanathana-dharma) is the only religion (not a religion, but way of life) that is self-realized, instead of getting feed-backs from someone claiming to have seen the GOD and "Jesus-Christ" has been to India in his young life to learn about religion (recorded history). Learn the facts before commenting on other religions. Anyways, peace to everyone. May GOD bless everyone.
Well, First of all, you're describing your self as an atheist, so your knowledge of religion is either useless or a complete zero. Second of all, you don't believe that Jesus Christ (or "Jebus Chwist" and who is smoking Pot, by the way!! and turn the spell check on, on your web browser; if you don't know how to do it, you can call India) as anything, so your knowledge of Christianity is another zero. As far as pots are concerned they're used to cool water since ancient times, if you know what I mean. Third of all, the deity's name is Siva or Shiva not what the nonsense that you've written. Please go to school and get some education. It looks like you're also very familiar with that hogwash more than me. So, enjoy it just like the way that photo that you've next to your name "Moron". Good luck and happy 4th of July.
Isn't it ironic atheist don't like scripture shoved down their throats as they say yet , they are the same ones who show so much disrespect
Completely lame argument. I would argue that almost all Atheists were born into and indoctrinated into some religion or another from birth and didn't become Atheist until they were "taught" about said religion. I didn't become Atheist until I was "allowed" by my parents to stop going to church after I had already gone through my "confirmation" at 13.
No, "irony" is someone trying to call something ironic while not knowing what "irony" means.
Aerojef - apparently one size DOES fit all......in track suits that is. Let's not argue about religion and just agree that these people are fascinating and the pictures are great. More love and less judging. Have a happy and safe Independence Day America!
I am fascinated. Diversity is divine. The philosophy of Hinduism as it relates to Karma and reincarnation is motivational and provides a hope for justice that spans lifetimes. Pretty neat to view the worst among us reborn as slugs.
OBTW, I really just looked at comments to vote for the dumbest, but I couldn't make up my mind?
I wonder what the guy in the leopard skin print shirt and John Lennon glasses is coming back as next time around? Not a bad deal really, Stalin or Hitler could come back as slugs and do What? 2 or 3 years as slugs and if they're good slugs come back as rats for another 2 or 4 years, a dog for 12, a cow for 20, an ape for 50 and back to the top of the heap in less than 100 years. Beats the hell out of roasting in the fires of hell for eternity.
Look at poor little Quartavious Davis for perspective all he did was pull 7 or 8 armed robberies with a couple of shoot outs (one with a dog and he missed him too) and he's whining because they gave him 168 years in prison. Stalin killed over 20 million and could get out in less than two thirds of that time with good behavior.
Of course if he wanted to be a catholic he could probably do 15 million hail marys and 10 million our fathers and donate 15% of the soviet war booty to the vatican and be good to go the next day.
What's up with the Crazy Blue Eyes!!!
Heritage of Alexander the Great
@ Tea Partiers,
Sir, Aryan invasion is a bogus theory debunked by modern DNA tests...Please keep reading and continue to update your knowledge base. Hindu civilization have existed in Asia for at the very least 125,000 years (Don't take my word for it. Google and research Ram Setu site) based on scientific findings . There were no Aryans to come in and merge with native Indus population.
watch the fallowing You tube links Now Indian( So called new
Super power) wants to introduce such backward culture & their religion to
this great country OOPPPPPPPPS
Shiva Festival in Junagadh, India
Religion and India
Chote Baba
Re ( Vidhiya sagar maharaj ) JAIN BHAJAN.DAT
Kumbha Mela marzo 2010 Haridwar -
India.MOV
Kumbh Mela 2010 Haridwar Part 1
Indians
drinking Gao Mutar (Cow's urine)_by indian media
Drink Made of Cow Urine Coming Out
Why is Urine Drinking Popular In India?
You are a fool. Your problem is that you believe that India catching up as a superpower will affect you in anyway. That is why you try to put them down. Things are getting harder for Americans because the wealthy among us have gotten greedier, not because the rest of the world is catching up. And no, I am not Indian or Hindu. Just moderately enlightened, unlike your sorry ass.
Is that where Mohammad got the idea of drinking camel urin in treatment for a cold? Hadath Volume 1, number 234
You are clearly a Muslim. Go back to your madrassa, Pakistani. (Hayat)
Don't you love it when people argue that their unprovable beliefs are superior to other people's unprovable beliefs? All roads lead to the same place. God doesn't care how we get home.
I also love it when people like Jeff-1086377 say, "I think it is time people started living in reality." And just what would that reality be, Jeff? Can you, or anyone, give an inarguable definition of reality?
We each create our own reality (worldview) that is true for us as individuals. The 'reality' you see before your eyes is co-created by every one of us -- Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Native Americans and Africans, et al. Without these other 'realities', YOUR reality would not exist. We are truly inter-dependent, relying on each other for our existence in the space/time continuum.
Personally, I love the beautiful diversity of beliefs about the Divine. Every one of them contains truth. Every one of us is on a sacred journey, whether we know it or not.
I have a hard time getting to the store in y 4 wheel drive on snowy days and these people walk 14,000 feet to see a sacred shrine. They have a greater commitment to life than I do. More power to them. They also have 4000 years of history behind them. Just because they do not follow one of "our" religions, does not mean that they are not good faithful people. They are to be praised for their level of commitment. I U.S. religions were more committed to their "core" values and not criticizing others, it might be a much nicer place.
That's one excuse to take off work and go somewhere the temperature isn't 109 degrees like it is in most of India this time of year.
These folks need to bathe ore often.
You have to fix that cavity ....
Wonderful pics! The devotion to their religion is awesome.
I see they have an unemployment problem to.
If all indians, no matter what faith they belong to, visit amarnath cave at least one time in their life, not only they will become spiritually richer, but will make travelling route (s) a very modern roadway(s) complete with all necessary bridges, temples along the way, good residential homes, hotels, motels, hospitals, religious centers and schools to make the state a richer tourist center / state and for expansion of caves bringing much larger revenues for prosperity of the state.
this will be 100 times more challanging than rope walk over niagara falls from u.s to canada.
Wow! What an awe inspiring sight. This looks like an incredible journey. There are many different age groups and many people from all walks of life. I wonder how long it takes most pilgrims to get to the shrine? What are all their reasons to go to the shrine?
Ahh, so many amazing things to see in the world.
i totally believe that people ought to be able to believe what ever they want in regards to religion, the commitement alone to get to that spot is commendable. but i just can't understand how people can believe that a big rock is their god's dick, it's all a bunch of man made crap
it is very similar to adam and eve conception with the creation of adam first
I find it interesting that whenever one of the world's diverse religions is showcased some people find it necessary to immediately critisize our nation's religious groups and beliefs. I fing it astounding that even atheists would commend a religion based on adoration of a divine elephant and a phallic symbol of their 'god'. Maybe their misdirected faith has something to do with their immense poverty, extremes in weather, inability to produce crops, etc... Maybe it doesn't seem like it at the moment but we are blessed to live where we do.
"mis-directed faith" is called termed by ignorant human beings. individual faith is given by god as long as it does not injure others bodily, spiritually and religiously. human beings can not define god, not even god's prophets, they only understand them minimally and most often wrongly. that is why all the intolerance and false ego and political and social power generate and brings conflict among mankind, which also bring conflict among animals and environment. true faith so far is found in hindus' bhagavad gita, which brings inner peace and truth, which eliminates all conflicts. visiting caves such as amanath pilgrimage is based on individual faith given by supreme personality of godhead, lord krishna, even though this not mentioned in bhagavad gita and is not condemned either, except that it is under interaction of purusha (male) and prakriti or nature(female). this conception is more advanced, philosophical with higher spiritual values and meaning of creation than adam and eve conception. whatever brings inner peace and external peace spontaneously comes from god and not misdirected faith.
Go and read some books and educate yourself, honey. It is usually people who are neither well-read nor well-traveled who make such bigoted remarks. Hinduism is the most tolerant religion on the planet. Hindus have never invaded another nation or people, hindus have never colonized another people, hindus have never enslaved another people. Can you say the same??? Moreover, hindus do NOT convert others----you have to be born into it. Hindus accept all the other major religions as different paths to the same god.
Wiseone - Tell that to the thousands of Sikhs and Muslims that have been killed in the last 30 years in India. Tell the dead minorities about how peaceful Hindus are. Tell the Sikhs why they are listed as "Hindus" under the Indian constitution. Tell a Sikh couple why their marriage certificate states "Certificate of Hindu Marriage"? Hindus=peaceful...I think not.