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Amarnath
- Shiva, in the
form of a
lingam,
is formed naturally
of an ice - stalagmite
One of the holy
trinity, Shiva is
a living god. The
most ancient and
sacred book of India,
the Rig Veda evokes
his presence in
its hymns. Vedic
myths, ritual and
even astronomy testify
to his existence
from the dawn of
time
Amarnath
- One of the holy
trinity, Shiva is
a living god. The
most sacred and
most ancient book
of India, the Rig
Veda evokes his
presence in its
hymns, Vedic Myths,
rituals and even
testify to his existance
from the dawn of
time. 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. The
annual yatra to
Holy Amarnath Cave,
situated at 14000
ft. above sea level,
is organised by
the Jammu &
Kashmir State Government
during the month
of July and August.
The intending pilgrims
are allowed to perform
darshan from Ashard
Purnimashi to Shravan
Purnimashi which
course spreads over
a month or so.
Amarnath
Yatra Procession:
Amarnath
is an important
centre of hindu
pilgrimage and though
the route is as
difficult to negotiate
as it is exciting,
every year, thousands
of devotees come
to pay homage before
Shiva in one of
his famous Himalayan
abodes.
Situated
in a narrow gorge
at the farther end
of Lidder valley,
Amarnathji stands
at 3,888 m and is
45 km from Pahalgam
and 141 km from
Srinagar. Though
the original pilgrimage
subscribes that
the yatra be undertaken
from Srinagar, the
more common practice
is to begin the
journey from Pahalgam,
and cover the distance
to Amarnathji and
back in four or
five days. Pahalgam
is 96 km from Srinagar.
Since
the base point for
the pilgrim's trek
is picturesque Pahalgam,
a large tented township
springs up to accommodate
the pilgrims. All
intermediate halting
places have the
same kind of facilities
as are provided
at Pahalgam, and
a Yatra Officer
is appointed to
conduct the pilgrimage.
Trek
to Amarnathji
The
trek from Pahalgam
to Amarnathji cave
is on an ancient
peregrine route.
The 45 - km distance
is covered in four
days, with night
halts at Chandanwari,
Sheshnag (Wawjan)
and Panchtarni.
The distance from
Pahalgam to Chandanwari
(16 km) is now covered
by motor transport.
The pilgrims camp
here or at Pahalgam
on the first night
out.
The
first day's trek
of 13 km from Chandanwari
is through spectacular,
primeval countryside.
The main centre
of attraction on
this trek is Sheshnag,
a mountain lake
which derives its
name from its seven
peaks, resembling
the heads of a mythical
snake. The journey
to Sheshnag follows
steep inclines up
the right bank of
a cascading stream
and wild scenery
untouched by civilisation.
The second night's
camp at Wawjan overlooks
the deep blue water
of Sheshnag lake,
and glaciers beyond
it. The lake is
also associated
with legends of
love and revenge,
and at the camp
these are recounted
by campfires, to
the stillness of
a pine-scented,
Himalayan night.
The
second day's 12
km trek steadily
gains height, winding
up across Mahagunas
Pass at 4,600 m
and then descending
to the meadow -
lands of Panchtarni,
the last camp enroute
to the holy cave.
From
Panchtarni to Amarnathji
is only 6 km, but
an early morning's
start is recommended
for there is a long
queue awaiting entrance
to the cave. The
same day, following
darshan, devotees
can return to Panchtarni
in time for lunch,
and continue to
Wawjan to spend
the fourth night
out; or continue
further to Zojibal,
returning to Pahalgam
on the 4th day.
Entrance
to the cave is regulated,
and darshan a hasty
affair for there
are many others
waiting outside
to pay homage before
the awesome Shivalingam.
The devotees sing
bhajans, chant incantations,
and priests perform
aarti and puja,
invoking the blessing
of Shiva, the divine,
the pure, the absolute.
Reaching
Amarnath
•
Air: The
nearest aerodrome
is Srinagar. There
are daily flights
to Srinagar from
Delhi and Jammu,
Helicopter Service
for Amarnath Yatra
is also available
•
Rail::
Jammu is the nearest
Railway Station
..
•
Road:
Jammu and Srinagar
are also connected
through road.
Amarnath
Yatra Route
1.
Jammu - Pahalgam
- Holy Cave
2. Jammu - Baltal
- Holy Cave
