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Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath cave is a famous shrine in Hinduism located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is dedicated to Shiva. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888m (12,756 ft), about 141 km from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and reached through Pahalgam town. The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism, and is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. The cave itself is covered with snow most time of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. An annual pilgrims is made to the Amarnath cave by lakhs of Hindu devotees on challenging mountainous terrain to see an ice stalagmite formed inside the cave.

The legend about the importance of Amarnath cave is as follows:

This is the cave which was chosen by Bhole Shankar for narrating the secrets of immortality and creation of Universe to Maa Parvati Ji. The story goes like this, Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shiv Ji to let her know why and when he started wearing the beads of heads (Muna Mala), Bhole Shankar replied whenever you are born I add one more bead in my beads. Maa Parvati said," My Lord, my body is destroyed every time and I die again and again, but you are Immortal. Please let me know the secret of this." Bhole Shankar replied that it is due to Amar Katha."

Maa Parvati insisted that she may be told that secret. For long Shiva ji continued postponing. Finally on consistent demand from Maa Parvati, he made up his mind to tell the immortal secret. He started for lonely place where no living being could listen it. He choose Amarnath Cave, in the preparation to that he left his Nandi (the Bull which he used to ride) at Pehalgam (Bali gaon). At Chandanwari, he released Moon from his hairs (jataon). At the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he released the snakes. He decided to leave his Son Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill). At Panjtarni, Shivji left the Five Elements behind (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky) which make living being. He is the Lord of these elements. It is believed that as a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world, ShivJi and Maa Parvati had Tandav dance. After leaving behind all these, Bhole Shankar enters the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati Maa. Lord Shiva takes his Samadhi on the Deer Skin and concentrate. To ensure that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale, he created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy cave. After this, he started narrating the secret of immortality of Maa Parvati. But as a matter of choice one egg which was lying beneath the Deer skin remained protected. It is believed to be non living and more over it was protected by Shiva -Parvati Asan (Bed). The pair of pigeons which were born out of this egg became immortal having listened the secret of immortality (Amar Katha). Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of pigeons when they trek the arduous route to pay their obeisance before the Ice-Lingam (the phallic of Shiva).

Discovery of Holy Cave

The story narrated by people about the discovery of this Holy Cave is of a Gujjar (shephard) Buta Malik. He is given the credit of discovering this Holy Cave. Story goes like this, that a saint gave Buta Malik a bag full of Coal.

On reaching his home when he opened the bag, to his utter surprise the bag was full of gold coins. This made him overwhelmed with joy. He ran to thank the Saint. But, what he found was that the Saint had disappeared. Instead, he found the Holy Cave and Shiva Lingam there in. He announced the discovery of this to the villagers. Then onwards this has become the sacred place of pilgrimage.

The ancient epics narrate an other story which goes like this. The valley of Kashmir was under water. It was a big lake. Kashyap Rishi drained the water through number of rivers and rivulets. In those days Bhrigu Rishi came that way on a visit to the Himalayas. He was the first to have Darshans of this Holy Cave. When people heard of the Lingam, Amarnath for them became Shiva's abode and a Center of pilgrimage. Since then Lacs of devotees perform the pilgrimage through tough terrain and avail eternal happiness. The trek to Amarnath, in the month of sharavan (July-August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a Lingam, is formed naturally of an Ice Stalagmite. which waxes and wanes with the Moon's cycle. By its side are fascinating, two more Ice Lingams, that of Maa Parvati and of their son, Ganesha.

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