Bham Bham Bhole, Chalo Amarnathji
Amarnath cave
A visit to Amarnath cave leaves an indelible mark in the hearts of the pilgrims. This cave situated on the narrow openings between the mountains of Lidder valley is on a height on 3,888 m. The yatra can begin either from Pahalgam near Srinagar or from Baltal where Amarnath is 44.8 km or 15 km respectively. Pahalgam is 96 km from Srinagar. From Pahalgam the journey to Amarnath is 5 days. The treks are generally during Shravan (July-August).
The ice lingam will be there upto mid June (12 feet) before the official starting of the pilgrimage. By end of June it melts in full and the Yatra begins. Devout pilgrims and trekkers will be able to view the high ice Shiv lingam, which waxes and wanes with moon.
http://youtu.be/JnE1NVhxCTI
The trek will be a memorable experience in one's life because of the tasty free unlimited food variety supplied with love at different locations on the route (langarwallahs).
According to our legends Shiva narrated to Parvati the secret of creation, in the caves of Amarnath. Without their knowledge a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on their dialogue. Having learnt it, they are reborn again and again, and have made this cave their eternal abode. These doves have been spotted by many trekkers on their way.
This incredible shrine is flocked with devotees to worship the image of Shiva, in the lingam form. The lingam is formed naturally of an ice- stalagmite which waxes and wanes with the moon. Beside it are two more splendid ice-lingams that of Parvati and their son Ganesha.
The cave is accessible only during the period of July and August and at that time a pure-white lingam comes into being, in the caves. It is a mystic experience to see water droplets trickling slowly from the top of the caves and freeze into ice when they fall. First a solid base is formed and then the lingam begins to rise on it. On Purnima it slowly acquires full form. According to the legends it is on that day, when Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of life to the beautiful daughter of Himalayas, Parvati.
It is incredible, how the ice-lingam is formed on the ice-base and how on the Purnima day it attains its full formation. The pair of pigeons appearing on the scene add to the mystery and makes anyone believe that these occurences are not merely coincidental.
According to an event tales, once a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik was given a sack of coal by sadhu, when he reached home the sack contained gold. static, when he rushed to thank the Sadhu, he discovered a cave at their place of meeting, which later become a place of pilgrimage for the believers. The descendants of Malik are given a percentage of donations even today while the remaining goes to the trust managing the shrine.
Another legend depicts that when Kashyap Reshi drained Kashmir Valley of water, which was once believed to have been a vast lake, the cave and the lingam. It was after this that the Amarnath became Shivas abode and a pilgrimage centre.
AMARNATH (3900 m) - Hindu pilgrim centre, cave temple with ice Shiv lingam which waxes and wanes with moon, Pahalgam to Chandanwari by jeep, trek to Panchtarani via Sheshnag and then to cave, return to Baltal in 4 days (60 km); Sheshnag - lake, glaciers via trek from Pahalgam (20 km). Season : July to Sept.
BALTAL (20 km from Sonmarg) - Base camp for trekking to Amarnath cave (15*2 km, in a day), steep route (10 hour trek).
DATES FOR Amarnath Yatra 2011
Amarnath Yatra begins on 29 JUNE 2011. Early July is the best time to watch the ice Shiv linga. The pilgrim route is opened only for 45 days.
http://www.amarnathyatra.org/pegions.jpg
Immortal pigeons at the Amarnath cave
Online registration for yatra can be done from May 2011 through the jkbank.net site. Yatri has to opt any of the two routes (Baltal or Chandanwari) and a date (29 JUNE 2011 TO 13 AUGUST 2011). Registration fee : Rs 15.
Baltal to Amarnath cave is short but steep 15 km route. Pilgrims can start early and return by night. The free 'lunch and tea' from langar is a great experience in once life. Intermediate camps provide camping and food to the pilgrims.