Yatra Amarnath: 10,000 Pilgrims Daily

[suchandra 1]

Since the Vaishnavas traditional Holy places lost quite strongly of their original authenticity and this responsibilty weights quite heavy on the competing Vaishnava institutions, every day about 10,000 pilgrims coming from India, decide to take up the challenge to visit Amarnath Cave, a Holy site of Lord Shiva up in the Himalayan mountains in Kashmir. Vaisnavanam yatha Sambhuh, Lord Shiva, honoured as the greatest of all Vaisnavas.

Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknown to them, a pair of doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learnt the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode.

These pilgrims even take up the austerity to enter Kashmir, with so many military checkpoints during the pilgrimage which finally reaches at Amarnath Cave in 17,000 feet of height.

 

 

First they reach Sheshnag lake which lies at about 10,000 feet of height. The heavy task of feeding the pilgrims and providing tents during the cold nights is done by Kashmiri muslims who are doing a great job.

 

Sheshnag lake

 

Then it really goes high up in the Himalayan mountains, the whole tramp taking about 4-5 days depending on the weather. Due heavy snow it is impossible to reach Amarnath cave in the winter, autumn and spring seasons.

Of course many pilgrims are not able to walk all the way up to Amarnath cave and use the helicopter service from Baltal, http://www.amarnathji.com/

 

Yatra Amarnath Cave

 

Finally they reach Yatra Amarnath Cave which says that you become purified of all sinful reactions. In order to keep this state of becoming purified from all sins and not fall back to again commit sinful actions it is recommended for this age to chant the Holy name:

 

 

Brhan-naradiya Purana

harer nama harer nama

harer namaiva kevalam

kalau nasty eva nasty eva

nasty eva gatir anyatha

"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is

chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

There is no other way.

There is no other way.

There is no other way."

harinama para ye ca

ghore kali-yuge narah

te eva krtakrtyasca

na kalir badhate hi tan

hare kesava govinda

vasudeva jaganmaya

itirayanti ye nityam

na hi tam badhate kalih

 

"In this dark age of Kali-yuga, sincere devotees of the Supreme Lord should leave aside all other means for liberation and take full shelter of the holy name. This is their real responsibility and duty. There is unlimited bliss in chanting the different names of Krsna: Hari, Kesava, Govinda, Vasudeva and Jaganmaya. For one who chants constantly with unflinching faith, he remains unaffected by the reverses of Kali-yuga, because his heart has become purified by chanting."

hari-nama-para ye ca

hari-kirtana tat parah

hari-puja-para ye ca

te krtarthah kalau-yuge

"Those who engage in chanting the holy name of Lord Hari (japa), are addicted to congregational chanting (kirtana) and engage in the worship of Lord Hari, have accomplished their desires in the age of Kali."

 

Visnu Purana: 6.2.17

dhyayan krte yajan yajnais

tretayam dvapare 'rcyan

yad apnoti tad apnoti

kalau sankirtya kesavam

"In this age there is no use in meditation, sacrifice and temple worship.

Simply by chanting the holy name of Krishna- Hare Krishna, Hare

Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama

Rama, Hare Hare-one can achieve perfect self realization."

 

 

http://www.amarnathyatra.org/route.htm

Visnu Purana

 

dhyayan krte yajan yajnais-

tretayam dvapare rcayan

yadapnoti tadapnoti

kalau samkirtaya kesavam

 

"The supreme goal which was attained in Satya-yuga by years of prolonged meditation; in Treta-yuga by performing extensive yajnas; in Dvapara-yuga by opulent and scrupulous Deity worship; in Kali-yuga the same results are easily had simply by the chanting of the holy name."

 

Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda 42nd Chapter

dhyayan krte yajan yajnais

tretayam dvapare 'rcayan

yad apnoti tad apnoti

kalau sankirtya kesavam

 

"Whatever is achieved in Satya-yuga by meditation, in Treta by offering ritual sacrifices and in Dvapara by temple worship is achieved in Kali-yuga by chanting the names of Lord Kesava congregationally."

Padma Purana

 

satyam kaliyuga vipra

sri harer nama mangalam

param svastyayanam nrnam

nasty-eva gatir anyatha

 

"Oh brahmana, chanting of the holy name is the auspicious process in Kali Yuga. It is the highest auspiciousness for mankind. There is no other way."

 

Varaha Purana

krsna krsneti krsneti

svapan jagrad vrajamstatha

yo jalpati kalau nityam

krsna-rupi bhaveddhi sah

 

"Whoever continuously chants Lord Krsna's holy name, even in his sleep, can easily realise that the name is a direct manifestation of Krsna Himself, in spite of the influences of Kali-yuga. This has been ordained by Lord Krsna."

 

 

Skanda Purana

 

kali-kala kusarpasya

tiksna-damstrasya ma bhayam

govinda-nama-danena

dagdho yasyati bhasmatam

 

"I see that Kali-yuga is like a black, poisonous snake with a gaping mouth and fangs. But please be unperturbed dear devotees and listen with faith. Once the holy name of the Lord is being chanted, it is like igniting a forest fire which will burn to ashes the poisonous snakes within the forest."

mahabhagavata nityam

kalau smakirtaya kesavam

 

"The hallmark of a mahabhagavata the most elevated devotee in Kali-yuga is that he chants the holy name of the Lord constantly.

 

Kalisantarana Upanisad

The sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience, there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name

Chanting of the holy names of Hari is the yuga-dharma (recommended religious process) for kali-yuga. The importance of this chanting cannot be overly stressed. Everyone should chant these holy names as much as possible.

Linga Purana

 

varjams-tisthan svapannasnan

svasan vakya-prapurane

nama-samkirtanam visnor-

helaya kali-vardhanam

krtva svarupatam yati

bhakti-yuktam param vrajet

 

"In our normal activities of eating, sleeping, sitting, dreaming, etc. to chant Krsna's names, while nullify the ill effects of Kali-yuga, is the perfection of speech. Even if a person chants Krsna's names indifferently, he will surely achieve his svarupa, or original spiritual self and attain that state beyond all material fear and lamentation. He will reach Vaikuntha, the supreme goal.

Madhvacharya, quoting Narayana Samhita,

in his Mundakopanisad Bhasya says -

 

dvapariyair janair visnuh

pancaratrais tu kevalam

kalau tu nama-matrena

pujyate bhagavan harih

 

"In the Dvapara-yuga people should worship Lord Visnu only by the regulative principles of the pancaratra and other such authorized books. In the Age of Kali, however, people should only chant the holy names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."