Amarnath Yatra is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage
yatras beside the Chardham Yatra which include Kedarnath Temple, Badrinath
Temple, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Located at an altitude of 12,476 feet (3,888
meter) at a distance of 140 km from Srinagar, Amarnath Cave Temple is an
important Hindu shrine. Amarnath Cave is open to devotees from June to August.
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| Naturally formed Shivling inside Amarnath Cave in Kashmir draws thousands of pilgrims every year |
The Legend of Amarnath Cave Temple
As per the legends this is the cave chosen by Lord Shiva to
describe the secrets of immortality and creation of the universe to her wife
Parvati. It is said that before letting out the secret, Shiva told his rudra to
destroy all life form from around Amarnath Cave temples so that no one could eavesdrop the
secret of immortality.
But as fate would have it a pair of pigeon who were inside the cave were not harmed and attained immortality by listening to Amar Katha (the secret of creation and immortality). This is why the cave came to be known as the Amarnath Cave.
But as fate would have it a pair of pigeon who were inside the cave were not harmed and attained immortality by listening to Amar Katha (the secret of creation and immortality). This is why the cave came to be known as the Amarnath Cave.
Significance of Amarnath
Amarnath Cave is a sacred shrine because of the natural Shiv
Lingam which forms naturally of ice every year. Thousands of pilgrims visit
Amarnath Cave for darshan each year and to maintain order a registration for
Amarnath Yatra is required before undertaking the pilgrimage.
Lord Shiva, who is the destroyer in Hinduism, is enshrined in the form of an ice-lingam in this cave. This lingam is formed naturally, which is believed to wax and wane with the moon.
Lord Shiva, who is the destroyer in Hinduism, is enshrined in the form of an ice-lingam in this cave. This lingam is formed naturally, which is believed to wax and wane with the moon.
Preparation for Amarnath Yatra
Visitors and pilgrims should know how to prepare for Amarnath Yatra before embarking on this pilgrimage. Due to the arduous nature
of the trail to Amarnath Cave, visitors are also required to produce medical
certificate before undertaking this call of higher significance.
Proper arrangements like uninterrupted power supply and water availability along the route are made by the authorities to ensure that pilgrims face lesser hardship.
Proper arrangements like uninterrupted power supply and water availability along the route are made by the authorities to ensure that pilgrims face lesser hardship.
The Spiritual Significance
It is said that after visiting the Amarnath Cave where baba
blolenath Shankar narrated Amar Katha to Ma Parvati, pilgrims leave with a
profound spiritual impact, a moral awakening.
Swami Vivekananda, a great Hindu Philosopher and thinker proclaimed that he had never been to something as inspiring and beautiful as Amarnath Cave.
Swami Vivekananda, a great Hindu Philosopher and thinker proclaimed that he had never been to something as inspiring and beautiful as Amarnath Cave.
How to go:
Amarnath Yatra requires you to obtain registration before embarking on the pilgrimage. You could also book your tour through travel agents who would obtain the registration for you. You could go to Amarnath Yatra by road, taking the goat trail. Nowadays, helicopter tour packages for Amarnath yatra is also available for pilgrims who could not make it on foot.
Written By Deepak Rawat
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