Hello Everyone
I would like tell you about Amarnath Yatra. Amarnath cave is a major pilgrimage center for Hindus. In ancient times it was called ‘Amareshwar’. Amarnath is formed by linking two Hindi words “Amar” meaning “immortal” and “Nath” meaning “God”. According to a legend, when Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to reveal the secret of immortality, which he had been hiding from her for a long time. So let us know.
Amarnath Yatra
The traditional ‘Pratham Puja’, which took place at the beginning of the annual pilgrimage to the famous pilgrimage Amarnath Cave, located in the Himalayas of Kashmir, took place last week. This puja is believed to mark the beginning of the two-month long Amarnath Yatra. However, if sources are to be believed, this year this journey will start in the last week of July and will last only 15 days due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
During this time, devotees will be able to see Baba Barfani. Along with this, the travel route has also been changed. This information has been given by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB).
Amarnath Yatra has been allowed to a person under 55 years of age. However, monks and saints are not placed in this category. They will be allowed to travel. Devotees must possess a Corona Uninfected Health Certificate, stating that the said devotee is free from corona virus. The thermal screening of the devotees will be done on the Jammu and Kashmir border.
Amarnath cave is located about 145 km from Srinagar which is situated in the Himalayan ranges. Situated at an elevation of 3,978 meters above sea level, this cave is 160 feet long, 100 feet wide and quite tall.
How to reach in Amarnath
By Road: To reach Amarnath by road, one has to first go to Jammu and then travel from Jammu to Srinagar. From Srinagar you can reach Pahalgam or Baltal. It is from these two places that the holy journey begins. Pahalgam is about 92 km from Srinagar and Baltal is around 93 km. Apart from this, you can also reach Pahalgam via bus or taxi services.
By Air: From Pahalgam, Amarnath starts on foot and the nearest airport to Pahalgam is in Srinagar which is about 90 km away. From Srinagar you can go to Pahalgam by taxi or bus. From Srinagar you can go to Pahalgam by bus which takes around 2.40 hours. Apart from this, you can also reach Pahalgam by taxi. It takes about 2 hours.
By Train- The nearest railway station from Pahalgam is Udhampur which is about 217 km away. But Jammu railway station is more well connected to the entire country than Udhampur. The name of Jammu railway station is Jammu Tawi, from here trains run to all the major cities of the country.
By Helicopter: Amarnath can be reached very easily via Helicopter services, which operates from various places in Jammu & Kashmir. You will get a helicopter from Pahalgam or Baltal which goes to Panchatarni. There is a helipad in Panchatarni. The distance from the cave of Panchatarni is about 6 kilometers. From Panchatarni, devotees have to travel the path to the cave on foot.
Amarnath Route
1. Pahalgam Route
The distance from Pahalgam to the holy cave of Amarnath is about 48 kilometers. The Pahalgam route is the oldest and historical route of the Amarnath Yatra. It takes about 3 days to reach the cave by this route. But it is not too difficult.
2. Baltal Route
Amarnath Cave can be reached in less time than Baltal. This is the short route. The distance from Baltal to Amarnath Cave is about 14 kilometers but this path is quite difficult and straight climbing, so more elderly and sick do not go through this route.
Story of Amarnath
According to a legend, Lord Shiva did not reveal his immortality secret to his consort Goddess Parvati for a long time, but one day when Parvati asked him to reveal the secret. So Lord Shiva took him to a secluded place in the Himalayas to tell this secret, where no one else could hear this secret.
On his way to the Himalayas, Shiva landed the moon on his forehead at Chandranbadi, leaving Nandi in Pahalgam. Putting the snake of the throat at a place called Sheshnag, son Ganesh was left on the Mahagun mountain.
Putting the snake of the throat at a place called Sheshnag, son Ganesh was left on the Mahagun mountain. Before going inside the cave with Parvati, she removed her five elements in the Panchatarni. No one listens to this mystery, for this Lord Shiva lit a fire inside the cave and destroyed the creatures there. In this whole process, they forgot to destroy the eggs of two pigeons lying under the deer skin.
When Lord Shiva was telling this secret to Goddess Parvati, two pigeons came out of these eggs, who listened to this secret. Devotees who visit the Amarnath Caves will be able to see the pairs of these pigeons here. Because these two pigeons have heard the secret of the silent arc, they are reborn, due to which they have made Amarnath caves their home.
About the importance of this journey and the mysteries associated with it ............
1. Lord Shiva is seated in the form of snow Shivling
The importance of the cave of Amarnath is not just because the snow Shivling is constructed here. The importance of this cave is also because in this cave Lord Shiva gave the mantra of immortality to his wife Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Lord Shiva resides in the Shiva Amarnath cave.
2. Five elements abandoned in Panchatarni
When Lord Shiva was taking Parvati to narrate the Amarkatha, she first abandoned her Nandi (bull) in Pahalgam on the way. After this, the moon was freed from its jata at Chandanbadi. On reaching the lake called Sheshnag, he also removed the snakes from the throat. He also decided to leave beloved son Shri Ganesh ji on Mount Mahagunas. Then Lord Shiva renounced the five elements after reaching a place called Panchatarni.
3. Visit to Baba Amarnath so life is a successful
According to the scriptures, in this cave, Lord Shiva told Mother Parvati the secret of immortality. Along with Mata Parvati, this secret was also heard by Shuk (Parrot) and two pigeons. This shook was later immortalized as a shukdev sage, while many devotees still see a pair of pigeons in the cave which are considered immortal birds. According to the Puranas, there is a vision of Shri Baba Amarnath, who gave virtue ten times in Kashi, a hundred times in Prayag and a thousand times in Naimisharanya.
4. Parvati Peeth is also located here
The ice Shivalinga built inside the Amarnath cave is made of solid ice, while raw ice is seen everywhere for miles outside the cave. It is also believed that there is Sri Ram Kund on the mountain above the cave. Parvati Peeth is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths located in Shri Amarnath Cave. It is believed that Bhagwati Sati’s throat fell here.
5. According to beliefs
According to legend, Lord Shankar himself visits Shri Amarnath cave on the full moon day of Raksha Bandhan. On the full moon day of Raksha Bandhan, stick Mubarak is also installed near the ice Shivling built in the cave. It is believed that mere sight of snow Shivling inside the Amarnath cave gives a person equal to the virtue of the 23 holy shrines.
Stops of Amarnath Yatra
The holy cave of Baba Amarnath located in Jammu and Kashmir is a pilgrimage site. This Amarnath temple of Lord Shiva has great importance among Hindus. The journey to this cave, also known as Baba Barfani, passes through many stages.
The Journey passes through these 5 Stops.
First Stop
Pahalgam is the first stop for the Amarnath Yatra. Pahalgam is 315 km from Jammu. It is also a famous tourist destination and is known for its scenic beauty. Government bus is available from Jammu and Kashmir tourism center to reach Pahalgam. In Pahalgam, langars are arranged by NGOs. The pilgrimage journey begins from here.
Second Stop
After Pahalgam the next stop is Chandanbadi. Chandanbadi is 8 km from Pahalgam. According to religious stories, this is the place where Lord Shiva sacrificed the moon.
Actually, when Lord Shiva was taking Mother Parvati in a cave to narrate the immortal story, then he had renounced everything that could be immortal after hearing the story. Lord Shiva has placed the moon in his jatas, so when he was going to enter the cave, he gave up the moon. After this, the moon waited for Shiva to return.
Third Stop
This is where Pissu Top are seen. Pissu Top is a very risky place in Amarnath Yatra. The Pissu Top is at an altitude of 11,120 feet above sea level. It is said that when Lord Shiva proceeded towards the cave with Mother Parvati, a flock of demons also reached there to hear the story of the immortal. Then there was a fierce battle between the gods and the demons, and the gods killed the demons and made them a mountain. Since then this place is known as Pissu Top.
Fourth Stop
The next stop is at Sheshnag, 14 kilometers from Chandanbadi. This route is steep and dangerous. The passengers arrive at Sheshnag and are crowned. Here is a beautiful lake of blue water between the ranges. By looking into this lake, the confusion arises that the sky has not come down in this lake. This lake extends about one and a half kilometers in length. On reaching close to the cave, Lord Shiva also renounced his most beloved Sheshnag.
During the journey there is also a place Sheshnag where a mountain appears to be exactly Sheshnag. According to legends, Sheshnag is inhabited by the Sheshnag Lake and within twenty four hours Sheshnag darshan once outside the lake, but these darshans are destined only for the lucky ones. Pilgrims stay here for the night and start the third day journey from here.
Fifth Stop
When Lord Shiva was taking Mata Parvati towards the cave, she was accompanied by son Ganesh. Son Ganesh never left his mother’s side. But when Lord Shiva approached near the cave, he also left his son Ganesh. Since then the place has been named Mahagun Parvat.
Sixth Stop
Panchtarni is only a short distance from Mt. Mahagun. It is believed that Lord Shiva sacrificed earth, water, air, sky and fire at this place. Along with this, he had abandoned five rivers flowing through his jata. You can see the confluence of these five rivers here.All the way from Mahagunas peak to Panchatarni is by descending.
This place is named Panchtarni due to five small streams flowing here. This place is covered with high peaks of mountains from all sides. Due to the height, the cold is also more. Due to lack of oxygen, pilgrims have to make security arrangements here.
Seventh Stop
Amarnath’s cave remains only eight kilometers away from here and snow remains frozen on the way. On the same day, you can spend the night by staying near the cave and on the second day you can return to Panchatarni by offering pooja in the morning.
Some travelers reach Sheshnag by evening. This path is quite difficult, but on reaching the holy cave of Amarnath, all the fatigue of the journey gets touched in a moment and there is a feeling of amazing spiritual bliss.
