AMARNATH CAVE - PILGRIMAGE AND LEGENDARY STORIES

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manap_99

Fri, 18 Jul 2003 22:53:30 -0700 (PDT)

AMARNATH CAVE - PILGRIMAGE AND LEGENDARY STORIES

Amarnath Cave is named after Mount Amarnath (5,486m a.s.l.), where it is located

nearly 4000 m high. Because of this height, the cave is covered with snow for

most of the year. Only for a short period in summer, the entrance is

accessible. The cave is an ice cave; it contains a certain amount of ice

stalagmites.

The cave is a holy place for Hindu pilgrims, because of its ice content. One

very characteristic pillar of ice is believed to be an ice lingam, the phallic

symbol of Lord Shiva. Two smaller ice stalagmites represent Parvati, his wife,

and Ganesha, his son. The Hindu pilgrims also believe, that the height of the

lingam increases and decreases with the phases of the moon. In the month of

Shravan, on the full moon in August, thousands of Hindus go on a pilgrimage up

to the cave. At this time the lingam reaches its biggest size.

The pilgrimage is somewhat dangerous. The big height and the low temperature,

combined with the under-nourished state of many people, cost a yearly toll.

Sometimes, like in 1996, bad weather increases the number of fatalities

dramatically.

A legend tells, that Shiva explained the secret of creation to Parvati in the

cave. Two mating doves heard this and now live in the cave for eternity, being

reborn again and again. This legend is confirmed (at least in the eyes of

believers) by flocks of doves near the cave, with no vegetation around.

Another legend tells that Kashyap Rishi drained a big lake, which became then

the Kashmir valley of today. The cave was discovered by Bregish Rishi

AUG-1996 260 people died on their pilgrimage in the wake of a storm.

One of the most important events during July/August is Amarnath Yatra to the

Holy Pilgrimage. This is an annual event when thousands of Hindus from

different corners of the Globe visit Amarnath caves. The pilgrims trek from

Pahalgam to these caves and worship the great ice Lingam.

Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave

in Amarnath. Unknown to them, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this

conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and

have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the

doves-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the

ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

This is an event you certainly will talk about for the rest of your life.

SHRI AMARNATH YATRA 8 DAYS 7 NIGHT 

Day 1 Delhi/Srinagar: On Arrival in Srinagar transfer to Houseboat. Afternoon

city tour. Overnight in Houseboat. 

Day 2 Srinagar/Pahalgam (256kms): Morning Drive for Pahalgam. Check in Tented camp

Day 3 Pahalgam/ Sheshnag: Early Morning Depart to Sheshnag. Overnight at the Camp. 

Day 4 Sheshnag/Pahalgam: Morning Depart to for Panchtarni. Overnight at the camp. 

Day 5 Panchtarni/ Amarnath cave (6 kms altitude 3962mts): Start early morning

for Amarnath cave, after Darshan overnight at Panchtarni. 

Day 6 Panchtarni/Pahalgam: After Breakfast Depart for Pahalgam to Srinagar.

Overnight at tented camp. 

Day 7 Pahalgam/Srinagar: After Breakfast Drive From Pahalgam to Srinagar. Overnight at Houseboat. 

Day 8 Srinagar/Delhi: Departure to the Airport for flight to Delhi

The Amarnath Cave has special significance.

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.   The story goes like

this.   Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shiva to let her know why and

when He started wearing the beads of heads (Mund Mala).   Bhole Shankar replied

whenever 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 might be told that secret.  For long Shiva

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 Maha

gunas Parvat (Maha Ganesh Hill). At Panjtarni, Shiva 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, Shiva and Maa Parvati had Tandava 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

Deerskin, 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 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 Darshan 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 Shravan (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.

The ice Lingam of Amarnath Cave was first discovered before the 12th century by

a Muslim shepherd named Malik while looking for a missing goat. When he entered

the mammoth cave in search of the goat, he found a five-foot Siva Lingam

naturally formed of ice. He had seen Lingams in Hindu temples before, and upon

his return to Hatnam, a small town on the Anantnag-Pahalgam road, he shared his

discovery with a Hindu priest. The priest, however, did not believe Malik. He

challenged Malik to take him to the cave. They reached the cavern after

crossing the ice-cold waters of the River Liddar, climbing through the dense

forests and over the rocky terrain. The priest was amazed when he saw the

six-foot ellipse. Soon word spread everywhere that a new place sacred to Lord

Siva had been found. It was named Amarnath, "The Deathless Lord."

The Lingam forms naturally toward the end of each summer from water dripping

inside the 135-foot-high grotto. From time to time hot weather prevents the

Lingam from forming, or causes it to melt prematurely, as happened this year.

The cave is only accessible in late August when the snows have melted.

There are many legends told about Amarnath. Kalhana's Rajatarangini reports that

before the 12th century it was visited annually by many thousands of pilgrims

from all parts of India. The famous book Brangish Sanhit gives full information

with regard to the origin of the pilgrimage. The book says that the chari (holy

silver mace) was given by Lord Siva to Kashyap Rishi. Siva commanded that this

mace be carried to Amarnath each year. This tradition continues. The mace

arrives at the full moon in August/September (Shravan), which this year was

August 21st. The event coincides with Raksha Bandhan.

In ancient times Amritsar was the starting point. Since the 1940s, pilgrims have

started from Srinagar. Were it not for the threats, 100,000 would have made the

difficult trek this year.  

 

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