Shri Amarnathji
Yatra 2024 to start on
30th June & Registration from 12th April 2024
The Legend
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 Amarnath Cave has special significance .
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).
Discovery of Holy Cave
The story narrated by people about the discovery of this
Holy Cave is of a Gujjar ( shepherd) 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 overwelmed 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 Shiv
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 Himalyas. 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
Centre 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 .
CLIMATE
The climatic conditions are very uncertain . Rain or
snowfall may take place at any time or place during the
Yatra . It is to be particularly noted that abrupt
changes in temperature might occur . Sunny weather may
turn into rain / snow fall in a short time .
The temperature may fall upto -5 degree C .
How to Reach
One can reach the first part of journey through
Air: The nearest aerodrome is Srinagar. Srinagar
is a beautiful valley having world famous sights to see,
such as Dal Lake, Nagina Lake, Shankaracharya Temple,
Mughal Gardens and what not. It is the most sought after
tourist place. It is also known as "Paradise on earth".
Srinagar is summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir. There are
daily flights to Srinagar from Delhi and Jammu. On some
week days flights also pickup passengers from Chandigarh
and Amritsar .
Rail: Jammu is the nearest Railway Station .
Jammu is winter Capital of Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu is a
beautiful city and is also known as "CITY OF TEMPLES".
One may visit old temples such as Raghunath Temple ,
Mahadev Mandir and other temples . It is well connected
with all stations of India. The various trains coming to
Jammu are listed here below.
Road : Jammu and Srinagar are also connected
through road. Buses and Taxies are also available for
this part of the journey .These can be hired on daily as
well as full tour basis. |