Shri Shirdi Sai speaks-21st oct/Amarnath Yatra

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Om Sai Ram !Om Ganeshaya Namaha!

Jai Maata di!Om Nama Shivaya!

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Today , lets continue our teerth Yatra with the holy Amarnath yatra.My dad was

lucky enough to go here but I hope one day, 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 beadâ€.

Parvati said, “I die again and again, but you are Immortal. Please tell me the

reason behind thisâ€. " 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 hearts.

Message from the teachings of Saibaba for 21st October

Baba's Miracle of Lighting the Lamps

Baba, the Heavenly Father in human form descended to Shirdi to protect the weak

and the poor. He lit the Lamp of Wisdom to dispel the darkness of ignorance.

Baba was fond of lights. Every evening He used to illumine every corner of

Dwarakamayi by keeping lighted lamps in rows. He used to procure necessary oil

to light the lamps from the local traders. One day the traders lied to Baba that

there was no stock of oil. But Baba did not felt annoyed with them. He smiled

and returned to the mosque with an empty oil can. Curious as they were, the

traders followed Baba to see how He would lit the lamps without oil. Baba poured

water into the oil can with a couple of oil drops in it, shook it, drank the

water, spit into the oil can and poured the water into the earthen lamps and lit

them. Wonder of the wonders, the lamps burnt luminously throughout the night to

the utter amazement of the traders who were awe-struck. Baba gently exhorted

them, 'If you are

unwilling to give, do not give. But do not tell a lie. You could as well say

'No'. Ashamed, the traders prostrated before Baba and sought His forgiveness.

The lights of wisdom were lit by Baba in their hearts. In that celestial light,

the people of Shirdi sensed Baba's Divinity. Baba is an embodiment of love. Is

not He? They were all forgiven and embraced by the Merciful Baba.

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