Amarnath Yatra Photos History of Amarnath - EL DESPERTAR SAI

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 ( Mund Mala) . Bhole Shankar replied when ever you are born I add one more head 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 preparation to that He left His Nandi ( The Bull which He used to ride ) at Pahalgam (Bail 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 , Shivaji 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 to Maa Parvati . But as a matter of chance 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 symbol of Shiva).

The Amaranth Cave was discovered by a Muslim shepherd of Batakot, Buta Malik,when he lost his flock and found that it had strayed into the sacred spot some 150 years ago. There is no documentary proof of this so-called discovery, the story having probably been concocted to give credit to Muslims for having started the most popular Hindu pilgrimage of Kashmir.

Amarnath Ji Located in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir and situated on Mount Amarnath, The Amarnath Ji Cave are one of the Most Famous Shrine in Hinduism. This is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, The shrine is said to be 5,000 yrs old. The shrine forms an important part of Hindu mythology.

Inside of Amarnath Ji Cave, Lies an Ice Stalagmite resembling Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August Month and gradually melt thereafter Pilgrimage. This Lingam is said to grow and shrink with the stages of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival "Amarnath Ji Yatra Darshan".

According to Hindu mythology, this is the cave where Lord Shiva explained the secret of life and existence to his divine concord Parvati. Two other ice formations represent Parvati and Shiva’s son "Ganesha".

Importance of Amarnath Temple

Amarnath cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. An enshrined image of ice naturally formed in a cylindrical form which resembles Lord Shiva-Linga, begins to take its shape on the first day of the bright half of the month and reaches its full size on the full moon day (Poornima). After getting its fullest shape, it begins to wane and disappear on the new moon day. According to the tradition, the largest ice formation is considered as Lord Shiva Linga, one on the left side of the linga is an ice formation of Lord Ganesha, and on the right are formations of Parvati and Bhairava. The Amarnath temple is around 46 kms from Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir and 4500mtrs above the sea level. The time of pilgrimage to this holy shrine is between July and August. The guard of the absolute, lord Shiva, the destroyer, is present in the form of ice Lingam in this cave located at a more remote end of the valley of Lidder. This lingam is made naturally of a stalagmite of ice which awakes and weakens with the moon.

This cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888m (12,756 Ft), about 141 Km from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The Central Reserve Police Force & Indian Armies and Indian Paramilitary Forces maintain a strong presence in the region due to security concerns. There is famous Rigvedic Verse that says "Ekam Sat " that is "There is one Being ,the sages call Him by many names." The God (Parmeshwar) has three deities who carry on the world .This is Known as Holy Trinity. Brahma- the creator, Vishnu - the perpetuator of life and Shiva (Mahesh ) -the purifier and perpetuator of good and destroyer of evil. Rig Veda refer Shiva as Rudra as in its following verse . "We Worship Tryambaka (Rudra) , Who spread Fragrance and Increases Nourishment , May He release me ,like the cucumber from its stem , From Mortal Life , But not From Immorality . "(Rig Veda Mandal VII Sukta 59 and Mantra 12)

The Yajurveda describes Shiva as ascetic warrior Whose robe is of Deer Skin and He carries Trishul . According to the verse Satyam, Shivam ,Sundaram ,the life is described as having three facets Truth (Satyam), Good (Shivam) and the Beautiful (Sundaram).

Shiva is a living God. The most Sacred and ancient books of India, the Rig Veda narrates His presence in the hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy testifies to His existence from the dawn of time .The Mohindaro and Harapa findings confirm Shiva worship in the ancient India. According to the older scriptures, He has three places of His residence. One is Kailash Parvat another is Lohit Giri under which Brahamputra flows and third is Muzwan Parvat .

Travel Information :

By air : Srinagar is the nearest airport which is just 140 km away. Direct flights are available only from New Delhi. Both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways fly to Srinagar. The airport is about 14 km from the city centre. Flights from Delhi to Srinagar via Jammu.

By Train : Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station and is connected to all the major cities and states. All major Indian states are connected to Jammu via rail. Train bookings usually have to be made at least a month ahead, specially during the month of the yatra.

By Bus : Jammu is well-connected to places in north India by National Highway 1A and other major all-weather roads. Buses and jeeps are available for Pahalgam or Srinagar. You can make reservations for vehicles at the Tourist Reception Centres in any of these places. There is no motorable road to the cave. A bus takes you to Chandanwari from Pahalgam (16 km) through a dusty course, which is steep and narrow and barely allows for two-way traffic