Photo Darshan
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
Amarnath Cave Pilgrimage is an annual pilgrimage being made to Amarnath cave by thousands of Hindu devotees on challenging mountainous terrain.
Located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Amarnath cave is a famous shrine in Hinduism. It is dedicated to Shiva. The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism for some Hindus,[1] and is considered the one holiest shrines in Hinduism.[2] 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. Inside the 130 feet high Amarnath cave that faces south, is the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter.[3] This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival.[4] According a Hindu legend, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati.[5][6] Two other ice formations represent Parvati and Shiva's son, Ganesha.   View Pigeons In Holy Cave : Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of pigeons at the Holy Shrine even today and are amazed as to how these birds survive in such a cold and high altitude area  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 asParadise on Earth". Srinagar is summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir. There are daily flights to Srinagar from Delhi and Jammu . On some week Daysflights 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.  Today , lets continue our teerth Yatra with the holy Amarnath yatra.We all are blessed to visit this sacred abode of Lord Shiva. 
Amarnath
yatra is considered as the most sacred pilgrimage in the Hindu
religion. The journey is of 141 km from Srinagar, the Jammu and
Kashmir. It is situated at a height of 4,175m. The yatra is mainly
conducted in the month of July and August every year. The yatra is
dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the Holy Trinity.
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.
PAHALGAM
: It is 96 KM from Srinagar .This distance can be covered by
car,bus or taxi. Pahalgam is known all over the world for its beauty. It
is small town situated on the banks of Lidder River. It is
surrounded by high mountains. All essentials can be bought here.
Good Hotels are available for accommodation. However the
arrangements for stay and Langar are also made by the Non
Government Service Organisations.
The
distance from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is 16km. The route is good
.It can be covered by road transport also. Mini buses are also
available from Pahalgam to reach Chandanwari. The trail runs
along the Lidder River . The route is scenic. Food is available
here. Pilgrims camp at Pahalgam or Chandanwari on the first night
.
Chandanwari is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which takes place every year in the month of Sawan (Rain).
The zig-zag route leading to Pissu Top
View of Chandanwari Side taken from Pissutop
PISSU
TOP : As the Yatra proceed further from Chandanwari one climbs a
height to reach Pissu Top. It is said that to be first to reach for
darshan of Bhole Nath Shivshankar there was a war between Devtas
and Rakshas . With the power of Shiv , devtas could kill the
rakshas in such large number that the heap of their dead bodies
has resulted in this high mountain.
Beautiful View of Sheshnag Lake
SHESHNAG:This
second day's trek of 12 kms from Chandanwari is through Pissu
Top and spectacular, primeval countryside, and reaches Sheshnag – a
mountain which derives its name from its Seven Peaks, resembling the
heads of the mythical snake.
The
Journey to Sheshnag follows steep inclines on the right bank of a
cascading stream and wild scenery untouched by civilisation. The
second night's camp at Sheshnag overlooks the deep blue waters of
Sheshnag lake, and glaciers beyond it.
There
are legends of love and revenge too associated with Sheshnag,
and at the camp these are narrated by campfires . The stillness of a
pine scented Himalayan night increases your inner joy. Yatris can
take bath and get their fatigue alleviated. It is beautiful and
scenic.
 
From
Sheshnag one has to climb steep height up across Mahagunas Pass
at 4276 mtrs.(14000 ft) for 4.6 KM and then descending to the meadow
lands of Panchtarni at a height of 3657 mtrs (12000 ft).
The
last camp enroute to the Holy Cave is made here on third day.
Here one faces cold winds which cause the skin to crack .
Hence
cold cream / Vaseline are very useful for protection of skin.
Some Yatris are also effected by deficiency of oxygen .Some may get the
feeling of vomiting .
So
dry fruit like Allu Bukhara ,sour and sweet eatables like Lemon
are useful to control these symptoms . The route to Mahagunas is full
of rivulets , water falls , springs .
PANCHTARNI:Panchtarni
is a very beautiful place in the feet of BHAIRAV MOUNT. Five
Rivers flow here . It is said that the five rivers origanated
from Lord Shiva's Hairs (Jataon).
Pilgrims camp at Panchtarni on the 3rd night
The
Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath is only 6 kms from Panchtarni. As
there is no place to stay hence the pilgrims start in the early hours
of the morning after their stay at Panchtarni
 
Pilgrims between Panchtarni and the Amarnath Caves
Pilgrims
almost at the Amarnath Caves .On the way to The Holy Cave one
comes across the Sangam of Amravati and Panchtarni. Some pilgrims
take bath at Amravati near holy cave to become pious before going for
Darshan. Near the cave is found white soil known as Bhasam. It
is the most beloved soil of Shiv ji . The pilgrims apply this
Holy soil to their body and then go for Shivlingam Darshan.
View of Holy Amarnath Cave as seen from out side
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 .
Inside View of Holy Cave
Behind
the discovery of the Holy Shrine lies an interesting story.
Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shivji to let her know why and when
he started wearing the beads of heads (Mund Mala), to which Bhole
Shankar replied, "whenever you are born I add more heads to my
bead". Parvati said, "I die again and again, but you are
Immortal. Please tell me the reason behind this". "Bhole Shankar
replied that for this you will have to listen to the Amar Katha"
Shiv
agreed to narrate the detailed story to Maa Parvati. He started
for a lonely place where no living being could listen to the
immortal secret and ultimately chose Amarnath Cave. In the hush-hush, he
left his Nandi (the Bull which He used to ride) at Pahalgam
(Bail gaon). At Chandwari , he released Moon (Chand) 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 give birth to life
and of which he is the Lord.
After
leaving behind all these, Bhole Shankar entered the Holy
Amarnath Cave along with Parvati Maa and took his Samadhi. To ensure
that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale, he
created 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 a pair of pigeons overhead the story and became
immortal.
View
Pigeons In Holy Cave : Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of
pigeons at the Holy Shrine even today and are amazed as to how
these birds survive in such a cold and high altitude area
May
the Swayambhu (Shiva) Lingam bless our souls with His divine
darshan and shower His grace upon us to fill our lives with peace
, love and contentment in our lives.
POSTED BY : VIPUL KOUL
EDITED BY :ASHOK KOUL
SWAMI AMARNATH JE BHAGVAN KEAY JAI
|
No comments:
Post a Comment