Amarnath Yatra: Amarnath Katha , Katha of Amarnath

Amarnath Yatra: Amarnath Katha , Katha of Amarnath: "Amarnath Katha There is famous Rigvedic Verse that says 'Ekam Sat ' that is 'There is one Being ,the sages call Him by many names.' The God..."

Amarnath Katha , Katha of Amarnath

Amarnath Katha

There is famous Rigvedic Verse that says "Ekam Sat " that is "There is one Being ,the sages call Him by many names." The  God (Parmeshwar) has three deities who carry on the world .This is Known as Holy Trinity. Brahma- the creator, Vishnu - the perpetuator of life and Shiva (Mahesh ) -the purifier and perpetuator of good and destroyer of evil. Rig Veda refer Shiva as Rudra as in its following verse .  "We Worship Tryambaka (Rudra) , Who spread Fragrance and Increases Nourishment , May He release me ,like the cucumber from its stem , From Mortal Life , But not From Immorality . "(Rig Veda Mandal VII Sukta 59 and Mantra 12)

The Yajurveda describes Shiva as ascetic warrior Whose robe is of Deer Skin  and He carries Trishul . 
According to the verse Satyam, Shivam ,Sundaram ,the life is described as having three facets Truth (Satyam), Good (Shivam) and the Beautiful (Sundaram).

Shiva is a living God. The most Sacred and  ancient books of India, the Rig Veda narrates His presence in the hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy testifies to His existence from the dawn of time .The Mohindaro and Harapa findings confirm Shiva worship in the ancient India. According to the older scriptures, He has three places  of His residence. One is  Kailash Parvat another  is Lohit Giri under which Brahamputra flows and third is Muzwan Parvat . 

The Amarnath Cave has special significance . The  Legend about the  importance of Amarnath Cave is as follows :-
This is The Cave which was chosen by Bhole Shankar  for narrating the secrets of immortality and creation of Universe  to Maa Parvati ji .   The story goes like this  .   Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shiv ji  to  let her know why and when  He  started wearing the beads of heads ( Mund Mala)  .   Bhole Shankar replied when ever you are born  I add one more head in my beads .  Maa Parvati said ,"  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 ." Bhole Shankar replied that it is due to Amar Katha ."

Maa Parvati insisted that she may be told that secret.  For long Shiva ji continued postponing .   Finally on consistent demand from Maa Parvati He made up his mind to tell the immortal secret . He started  for    lonely  place  where  no living  being  could  listen  it .  He choose Amarnath Cave .  In preparation to that He left His Nandi ( The Bull which He used to ride )  at Pahalgam (Bail gaon) .  At Chandanwari He released Moon 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 make living being . He is the Lord of these elements.  It is believed that as a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world , Shivaji and  Maa Parvati  had Tandav Dance . After leaving behind all these, Bhole Shankar enters theHoly Amarnath Cave along with Parvati Maa . Lord Shiva takes his Samadhi on the Deer Skin and concentrate . To ensure that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale , He created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him  to spread fire to eliminate every living  thing in and around the HolyCave . After this He started narrating  the secret of immortality to Maa Parvati . But as a matter of chance one egg which was lying beneath the  Deer skin remained protected . It is believed to be non living and more over it was protected by Shiva -Parvati Asan (Bed) .  The pair of pigeons which were born out of this  egg became immortal  having listened the secret  of immortality (Amar Katha).  

 Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of pigeons  when they trek the arduous route to pay their obeisance before the Ice-Lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

Discovery of Holy Cave

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 HolyCave  . 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 valleyof 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.
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 . 

Amarnath Yatra: Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith , Holy Ama...

Amarnath Yatra: Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith , Holy Ama...: "Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith 'The Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organised travel system, evolved over time by Hindu sage..."

Amarnath Yatra: Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith , Holy Ama...

Amarnath Yatra: Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith , Holy Ama...: "Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith 'The Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organised travel system, evolved over time by Hindu sage..."

Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith , Holy Amarnath Yatra

Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith 
"The Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organised travel system, evolved over time by Hindu sages and embodying the spirit of wander, adventure and spirituality" 
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.


Shiva is known to have made his home in the Himalayas. He built no house nor shelter, not for himself or his bride. He was an ascetic, and yet married; he could be both for "he was the wild god sporting in the forest or taking his ease on a cloud."


Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in the Amarnathji cave. Unknown to them, a pair of mating pigeons eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the pigeons-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva). 
The trek to Amarnathji, in the month of Shravan (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, and which waxes and wanes with the moon. By its side are, fascinatingly, two more ice - lingams, that of Parvati and of their son, Ganesha.


According to an ancient tale, there was once a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik who was given a sack of coal by a sadhu. Upon reaching home he discovered that the sack, in fact, contained gold. Overjoyed and overcome, Buta Malik rushed back to look for the sadhu and thank him, but on the spot of their meeting discovered a cave, and eventually this became a place of pilgrimage for all believers. To date, a percentage of the donations made by pilgrims are given to the descendants of Malik, and the remaining to the trust which manages the shrine.


Yet another legend has it that when Kashap Reshi drained the Kashmir valley of water (it was believed to have been a vast lake), the cave and the lingam were discovered by Bregish Reshi who was travelling the Himalayas. When people heard of the lingam, Amarnathji for them became Shiva's abode and a centre of pilgrimage. 
Whatever the legends and the history of Amarnathji's discovery, it is today a very important centre of 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. The conduct of the yatra is a gigantic task in which the State Government takes the assistance of the security departments for providing security and helping to keep the route open. 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

Amarnath , Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath

Located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and situated on Mount Amarnath, the Amarnath caves (Hindi: अमरनाथ गुफा, Urdu: امرناتھ گُپھا) are one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism. Dedicated to the god Shiva, the shrine is said to be over 5,000 years old. The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism.[1]
Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice stalagmite resembling the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter.[2] This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival.[3] According to Hindu mythology, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati.[4] Two other ice formations represent Parvati and Shiva's son, Ganesha.
The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft),[2] about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The Central Reserve Police Force, Indian Army and Indian Paramilitary Forces maintain a strong presence in the region due to security concerns.


Amarnath Yatra

The temple is a popular yatra destination for Hindus – about 400,000 people[6][not in citation given] visit during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani Mela in July–August, coinciding with the Hindu holy month of Shraavana.
The beginning of the annual pilgrimage, called Amarnath Yatra[7], to the Himalayan cave shrine is marked by 'pratham pujan' to invoke the blessings of Shri Amarnathji.[8]
Devotees generally take the 42 km (26 mi) pilgrimage on foot from the town of Pahalgam, about 96 km (60 mi) from Srinagar, and cover the journey in four to five days. There are two alternate routes to the temple: the longer and more traditional path from Srinagar, and the shorter route from the town of Baltal. Some devotees, particularly the elderly, also ride on horse-back to make the journey. Those who so wish and have the money can now make the journey by helicopter

Amarnath Yatra: Tips for Amarnath Yatra , Problems Faced by devote...

Amarnath Yatra: Tips for Amarnath Yatra , Problems Faced by devote...: "Tips for Amarnath Yatra The weather conditions are extremely unpredictable at Amarnath due to which sometimes the Yatra gets postponed ..."

Tips for Amarnath Yatra , Problems Faced by devotees during Shri Amarnath Yatra

Tips for Amarnath Yatra
The weather conditions are extremely unpredictable at Amarnath due to which sometimes the Yatra gets postponed for a few days. In such a case the travellers are bound to stay back in Katra or Jammu and are not allowed to proceed further. The weather conditions are so unpredictable that at one time the sun is shining brightly and with a wave of cold wind, chilling weather creeps in. Rain and snowfall too is very unpredictable here.

Amarnath, being located in one of the most unsafe states also leads to occasional problems. As in Jammu and Kashmir often terrorist activities keep taking place and the travellers sometimes face problems due to them. Often security alerts are put and suddenly security measures are increased. Travellers are thoroughly checked and stopped several times, which could be annoying at times.

Facilities and Amenities provided on the journey to Amarnath

• Ration at fair prices from government depots
• Tea stalls and restaurants in the way.
• Firewood or gas at Chandan wari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni and near Shri Amarnath
• Traveller registered with Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, having a Yatra permit are entitled to an insurance of Rs 1,00,000 in case of death or any accident.
• Tents and insulated huts available on rent.
• Drinking water availability

Do’s and Don’ts for travellers on Amarnath Yatra

• One must be physically fit before he/she sets out for Amarnath yatra. So if a physical fitness regime is followed well in advance by the traveller, it will prove to be really beneficial while on the Yatra. Yoga can be practised and a daily walk regime too must be performed few months in advance of the Yatra.
• Carry heavy woollen clothes like sweaters, jackets, blazers, woollen socks, gloves, scarves, monkey cap to cover the whole face area and therma-cot inners; umbrellas, wind cheaters, raincoats, sleeping bags, waterproof shoes, torch, walking stick (in case you might need it).
• As the journey is full of rough terrains and pebbled path, it is advisable for women to sport clothes which are easy to manage, unlike sarees.
• The luggage should be kept to minimum as the travellers will find difficulties in carrying them. A bagpack is perfect for the Amarnath Yatra.
• The bag you carry must be water proof.
• Carry enough funds in case of emergencies or personal needs.
• One must carry an identity proof.
• In case you are suffering from any ailments or are advised to take medications for any problems, they must be carried with you.
• General painkillers are also beneficial to be carried along with other first aid materials like dettol or savlon, bandages, crepe bandages, cotton etc.
• A few eatables and water must be carried always although there are shops available for the same but it is advisable to carry them in case of any emergency or occurrence of any unfavourable condition.
• Vaseline, cold creams, moisturiser, sun protect lotion, lip balms etc too must be carried.
• Shoes worn by travellers must be suitable for trekking. No slippers, sandals or high heels to be worn.
• Hurrying or panicking in any unfavourable condition must be avoided. One must walk with a cool and active mind.
• Steady and comfortable pace must be maintained while walking. There is no need for exerting.
• Toilets and bathrooms must be used and not the open areas.
• Smoking or drinking must not be done as the journey is pious and the environment holy.
• Cash donations to be given to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board only. They are the responsible authority for it.
• Use of flash camera is strictly prohibited inside the Amarnath caves.
• Use of polythene is strictly prohibited in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Charges for all the services offered are displayed on boards. Do not pay more than that.
• Overnight stay at the caves is not advisable due to the lack of oxygen