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ABOUT AMARNATH JI
Amarrnath
cave (Hindi: अमरनाथ गुफा) is a Hindu shrine located in
Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is dedicated to Shiva.
The Amarnath cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m
(12,756 ft) about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the summer
capital of Jammu and Kashmir.Pilgrims visit the holy site
during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani
Mela in July - August, coinciding with the Hindu holy
month of Shraavana. This whole yatra and the Shrine is
managed by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), that was
constituted by an Act of the Jammu & Kashmir State
Legislature.
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 of the year except for a short period
of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Thousands of
Hindu devotees make an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath
cave on challenging mountainous terrain to see an ice
stalagmite formed inside the cave.
Amarnath Yatra Trekking Route:
There are currently two routes for reaching Amarnath cave
from Jammu / Srinagar
1) Pahalgam - Chandanwari - Pissu Top - Sheshnag -
Panchtarni - Holy Cave ( 25.6 kms one way )
2) Sonamarg - Baltal - Domail - Barari - Holy Cave ( 14 kms
one way -- more steep)
AMARNATHJI STORY
The Story Of Amarnath Ji
The story begins from the quest of Goddess
Parvati when she asks her husband Lord Shiva to tell her
why he wore a Maala with Munds (Mund Maala - bead of
heads). Lord Shiva replies that every time she(Parvati) is
born, he adds a head to the Maala he is wearing.
Parvati enquires, "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." Lord Shiva replies
that he is immortal due to Amar Katha and whoever knows
that Katha becomes Immortal. When Goddess Parvati insists
on knowing the story then Lord Shiva explains to her that
this story is a secret and no one knows this and even Gods
do not know about this story and hence, when their virtues
are over, they have to leave their position and take
rebirth to gain virtues. It is only the Tridevs (Brahma,
Vishnu and Mahesh) that know this sacred story and are
immortal.
But when Parvati insists more vehemently, Lord Shiva
assures her of telling the Amar Katha sometime. But the
goddess does not let go and on her persistent demand to
know the secret of Immortality, Lord Shiva selects a
hidden place (Amarnath Cave) where no living being could
listen to this secret story.
On way to Amarnath Cave, Lord Shiva leaves Nandi, The
Bull, at Pahalgam (Bail Gaon). At Chandanwari, he releases
the Moon from his hair (Jataon). On the banks of Lake
Sheshnag, he releases his snakes. At Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh
Mountain), he leaves his son, Lord Ganesha. At Panjtarni,
Lord Shiva leaves behind the five elements- Earth, Water,
Air, Fire and Sky. As a symbol of sacrificing the earthly
world, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Dance. Then,
finally, Lord Shiva entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along
with Parvati. Lord Shiva then took his Samadhi on the Deer
Skin.
Lord Shiva started telling the story to Mata Parvati but
she sleeps in between as the story was very long and she
was tired of the journey. Meanwhile,
two white pigeons were listening to the story and were
making cooing sound which made Shiva feel that Mata
Parvati is still listening to the story and he continued
telling it. In this way, both the Pigeons heard the story
of being immortal.
After ending the story, when Lord Shiva saw that Parvati
was sleeping, He wondered who was making the cooing sounds
when he was narrating the story. He then discovered the
two pigeons and became angry and tried to kill them but
the pigeons said that if you will kill us then the legend
of this story shall exist no more. Then Lord Shiva left
them alive and blessed that they will reside at this place
as a symbol of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati. It is said
that even today the devotees often see a pair of pigeons
here.
It is said that only those reach Amarnath Dham who are
blessed by Baba Bhole Nath. Even reaching here is a great
virtue. Person sighting and worshipping Baba Himani
reaches heaven after this mortal life.
How to Reach
By 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 .
By 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.
By 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.
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