Srinagar, July 7 -- Each year, as the twin yatras of Shri Amarnath and Machail unfurl across the Himalayas, lakhs of pilgrims brave the heights not only in search of divine grace but also guided by centuries-old traditions, stories, and sacred memory. Among these stories, none has gained more traction - especially in the past few decades - than the popular tale of Buta Malik, a Muslim shepherd from Kashmir who is said to have discovered the Amarnath Cave in circa 1850. This narrative has entered public consciousness, government brochures, and casual pilgrimage conversations. But is it grounded in truth?

The bitter truth is: there is no historical or scriptural evidence to support the claim that Buta Malik discovered the cave. There is no...