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ABOUT AMARNATH JI
 Amarrnath
cave (Hindi: अमरनाथ गुफा) is a Hindu shrine located in
Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is dedicated to Shiva.
The Amarnath cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m
(12,756 ft) about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the summer
capital of Jammu and Kashmir.Pilgrims visit the holy site
during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani
Mela in July - August, coinciding with the Hindu holy
month of Shraavana. This whole yatra and the Shrine is
managed by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), that was
constituted by an Act of the Jammu & Kashmir State
Legislature.
The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism and is
considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The
cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. The cave itself is
covered with snow most of the year except for a short period
of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Thousands of
Hindu devotees make an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath
cave on challenging mountainous terrain to see an ice
stalagmite formed inside the cave.
Amarnath Yatra Trekking Route:
There are currently two routes for reaching Amarnath cave
from Jammu / Srinagar
1) Pahalgam - Chandanwari - Pissu Top - Sheshnag -
Panchtarni - Holy Cave ( 25.6 kms one way )
2) Sonamarg - Baltal - Domail - Barari - Holy Cave ( 14 kms
one way -- more steep)
AMARNATHJI STORY
The Story Of Amarnath Ji
The story begins from the quest of Godd ess
Parvati when she asks her husband Lord Shiva to tell her
why he wore a Maala with Munds (Mund Maala - bead of
heads). Lord Shiva replies that every time she(Parvati) is
born, he adds a head to the Maala he is wearing.
Parvati enquires, "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." Lord Shiva replies
that he is immortal due to Amar Katha and whoever knows
that Katha becomes Immortal. When Goddess Parvati insists
on knowing the story then Lord Shiva explains to her that
this story is a secret and no one knows this and even Gods
do not know about this story and hence, when their virtues
are over, they have to leave their position and take
rebirth to gain virtues. It is only the Tridevs (Brahma,
Vishnu and Mahesh) that know this sacred story and are
immortal.
But when Parvati insists more vehemently, Lord Shiva
assures her of telling the Amar Katha sometime. But the
goddess does not let go and on her persistent demand to
know the secret of Immortality, Lord Shiva selects a
hidden place (Amarnath Cave) where no living being could
listen to this secret story.
On way to Amarnath Cave, Lord Shiva leaves Nandi, The
Bull, at Pahalgam (Bail Gaon). At Chandanwari, he releases
the Moon from his hair (Jataon). On the banks of Lake
Sheshnag, he releases his snakes. At Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh
Mountain), he leaves his son, Lord Ganesha. At Panjtarni,
Lord Shiva leaves behind the five elements- Earth, Water,
Air, Fire and Sky. As a symbol of sacrificing the earthly
world, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Dance. Then,
finally, Lord Shiva entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along
with Parvati. Lord Shiva then took his Samadhi on the Deer
Skin.
Lord Shiva started telling the story to Mata Parvati but
she sleeps in between as the story was very long and she
was tired of the journey. Meanwhile,
two white pigeons were listening to the story and were
making cooing sound which made Shiva feel that Mata
Parvati is still listening to the story and he continued
telling it. In this way, both the Pigeons heard the story
of being immortal.
After ending the story, when Lord Shiva saw that Parvati
was sleeping, He wondered who was making the cooing sounds
when he was narrating the story. He then discovered the
two pigeons and became angry and tried to kill them but
the pigeons said that if you will kill us then the legend
of this story shall exist no more. Then Lord Shiva left
them alive and blessed that they will reside at this place
as a symbol of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati. It is said
that even today the devotees often see a pair of pigeons
here.
It is said that only those reach Amarnath Dham who are
blessed by Baba Bhole Nath. Even reaching here is a great
virtue. Person sighting and worshipping Baba Himani
reaches heaven after this mortal life.
How to Reach
On the way to the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji,
one comes across the Sangam
of Amravati and Panjtarni rivers. Some pilgrims take
bath at Amravati near the Holy Cave before going for Darshan.
There are two smaller Shivlings one of Maa Parvati and other
of Shri Ganesh. After having early Darshan of the Shiv Linga
at Holy Cave, one can return to Panjtarni well in time the
same day.
Pahalgam Axis
| Location |
Distance (KMs)
|
Mode of Transport
|
| By Motor/ On Foot |
By Pony |
By Air
|
| Jammu to Khanabal |
239
|
8 hours (Motor/ Coach) |
|
|
| Srinagar to Khanabal |
54
|
1 hour 35 min |
|
| Khanabal to Pahalgam |
40
|
90 min (Motor/ Coach) |
|
| Pahalgam to Holy Cave |
48
|
1 hour upto Chandanwari &
12 hours from Chandanwari to Holy Cave |
|
Pahalgam to
Chandanwari
|
16
|
1 hours |
5 hours |
|
Chandanwari to Sheshnag
|
12
|
6 hours (on foot) |
4 hours |
|
Sheshnag to Panjtarni
|
14
|
8 hours (on foot) |
5 hours |
|
Panjtarni to Holy
Cave
|
6
|
3 hours (on foot) |
2 hours |
| Pahalgam (Nunwan) to
Panjtarni |
48
|
|
15 min
|
|
A distance of 200 KMs from Pahalgam to Baltal can be covered
by Motor/ Coach in 5 hours
Sonamarg - Baltal Route
After one reaches Srinagar, the road to Baltal is via
Sonamarg. The drive to Sonamarg (‘the
meadow of gold') is through the "Sindh Valley' which
presents yet another spectacular facet of countryside in
Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2730m, Sonamarg has, at
its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky.
Sonamarg is also the take off station for the drive to
Ladakh across the Zojila, a major pass in the Great
Himalayan Range, through which the Srinagar-Leh Road
connects.
The distance from Baltal to
the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji is a 14KMs (one way) and
the trek is fairly steep. Although distance can be covered
by foot it is also possible to hire ponies or palkies (for
handicapped and old aged pilgrims). Baltal is more popular
because of its shorter distance.
The width of the pebbled (kuchha) road/ trek is a bit narrow
as compared to the 'Chandanwari - Holy Cave route',
moreover, there are some steep rises & falls on the way, as
compared to the Chandanwari route, but pilgrims can return
back to base camp Baltal through this route only in one day.
It is suggested that only the very fit should go and come
back the same day after trekking for 28KMs distance.
Baltal Axis
| Location |
Distance (KMs)
|
Mode of Transport
|
| By Motor/ On Foot |
By Pony |
By Air
|
| Srinagar to Baltal |
101
|
3 hours (Motor/ Coach) |
|
|
| Baltal to Holy Cave |
14
|
8 hours (on foot) |
4.50 hours |
|
Baltal to
Domel
|
2.75
|
1 hours (on foot) |
30 min |
|
Domel to Brarimarg
|
6
|
3-4 hours (on foot) |
2 hours |
|
Brarimarg to Holy
Cave
|
6
|
2-3 hours (on foot) |
2 hours |
| Srinagar to Neelgrath |
94
|
3 hours (Motor/ Coach) |
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| Baltal (Neelgrath) to
Panjtarni |
14
|
|
10 min
|
|
|
