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SHRI AMARNATH DARSHAN & SIGHTSEEING

  • Amarrnath cave 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 Goddess 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)

    -

    Baltal (Neelgrath) to Panjtarni

    14

     

    10 min

     

 

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