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.

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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).

Amarnath cave is a major Hindu pilgrim centre in Jammu Kashmir. The ice Shiv Lingam of 12 feet high (in June first week) has melted fully due to the rise in temperature in the cave premises due to the high influx of pilgrims, langarwallahs and Helicopter landings near the cave at 3900 m.

Officially the Yatra has started in the first week of July. There are two main routes to the cave. One is from Pahalgam near the Jammu - Srinagar highway and is an arduous 44.8 km trek to the cave. It take four days to the Amarnath cave trek through this route.

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Another route starts from Baltal (at the base of Zoji la 3530 m) near Sonmarg. The cave is 15 km away via a steep route and it meets the Pahalgam route at Sangam 3 km before the cave. One has to walk 2 km over ice to reach the cave.

One can complete the trek to the cave from Baltal in a day if starts the trek at 0500 h. Darshan will take 4 to 5 hour and a kilometer long queue is there near the cave.

Pony also can be hired if one is not fit for the difficult long trek on both routes. 'Dholi' is also available on the route at a high cost.

Langarwallahs on the route at various places serve hot and delicious food with love. One can enjoy the love of Langarwallahs on the way - a great experience in one's life. Serving unlimited food free at such a remote location, that too for 24 hour a day.

Langarwallahs at Baltal, in between the cave and Baltal and at near the cave on Baltal route are a great help to the tired-hungry pilgrims.

If one is not in a mood to trek back from the cave on the same day, tents will provide accommodation near the cave. Lot of tents on hire is located near the cave. Puja items can be purchased from the shops near by at a high rate (Rs 100 for normal items) - coconut, agarbathi, peda etc.

Normally a tent shared accommodation with bed (rogai) will costs Rs 200/day.

Pilgrims shout Bham Bham Bhole......Bham Bham Bhole...... Chalo Amarnathji on the route.

The route is prone to landslides and shooting stones from high. On the Pahalgam route one has to cross a high pass at 4200 m to reach the cave. For the Yatra one has to reserve a date through Jammu kashmir bank branches located all over the country (in June). The process of issuing identity cards will be closed within a week due to limited number of passes.

One has to get Medical fitness certificate for High altitude travel and an accident insurance for Amarnath Yatra.

I started the trek from Baltal at 0500 am after a hot bath and 'nashta' at langar. The broad route climbs steadily to Sangam and climbs down to cross a small stream (bridge). Then again a difficult climb to gain the height. At top one will get the first view of the Amarnath cave. One has to walk two km over ice to reach the cave (slightly slippery, take care - even horse falls with pilgrim on top). I reached too tired at the cave by 1200 noon.

A one km long queue was there for the pilgrims. I took the short cut - due Defence identity card - and got 'darshan' in 30 minutes, no waiting, but to cover the one km climb to the cave. I removed my trekking shoes and walked 20 meter to view the ice Shiv lingam at the huge cave. But nothing was left there in first August. I was not lucky to view the doves normally flying near the cave.

My friend missed me there near the cave and followed the pilgrims queue. I have to wait for him up to 5 pm in the evening. We started the trek to Baltal immediately and reached the camp by 10 pm with the help of torch. Enjoyed the royal dinner at 'langar' and had a nice sleep at the tent.

Amarnath Yatris with valid identity card (pass) has to report the stadium at Jammu. From there pilgrims move at groups with military escort due to terrorist attacks on the pilgrims. A long road journey to via the beautiful hill resort Patnitop and 2.5 km long Jawahar tunnel near Banihal leads to Pahalgam (150 km from Jammu).

Pilgrims have to checkin at the Pahalgam camp. An 13 km trek takes to Chandanwadi at 2900 m, where one can have night stay at tents. A further 11 km trek leads to Seshnag and another 11 km trek takes to Panch Tarani. The route leads to Sangam and to the cave (8km) - A 43 km one way trek / by pony takes one to the cave. One can return by the easy & short Baltal route (15 km).

Sonamarg (2740 m) is 87 km from Srinagar and further 21 km is Baltal on the Kargil highway. Trek Baltal to Domal (2 km) and then to Baral, a further 6 km away. Sangam is 4 km on the cave route and a further 3 km walk leads one to the cave.

Baltal route is a shortcut-steep / tough route and less number of passes are issued on this route. Nights will be chilly and the temperature near the cave can drop upto minus 5 degree centigrade at night.

A Helicopter trip to Amarnath cave from Baltal and back costs Rs. 6000. It will take 10 minutes Helicopter ride to Amarnath Cave, within two hour time you will reach back to Baltal. Srinagar - Sonmarg - Baltal : 125 km.

Yatris are normally not permitted to trek to the cave before July by security forces. The Pahalgam route's highest point is Mahagunas pass at 4,175 m.

Amarnath cave has an ice Silva-linga which changes size with the seasons, and also as the moon waxes and wanes it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about 6 ft high. Each year on the full moon day of July-August (Sravana) when the Siva-linga attains its maximum height there is a festival at this cave temple.

The cave is about 150 feet high and 90 feet long. Within the cave there are four or five ice formations that resemble the figures of different gods. The biggest figure is regarded as Shiva. On the left side of the linga is an ice formation called Ganesh, and on the right side is one of Parvati and Bhairava.

The area is covered with snow from September to June. The cave opens only in July and August. This is the rainy season, so pilgrims have to brave the rain to get there. You can also hire ponies and dandies for the trip. It is very crowded during the annual Sravana festival. There is a yearly pilgrimage starting from Srinagar that is led by the Chhari Saheb, the holy seepter.

The pilgrims trek from Pahalgam / Baltal to the cave and worship the ice lingam. Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation at Amarnath cave. Unknown to them, a pair of mating doves 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 doves-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva). This is an event you certainly will talk about for the rest of your life.

The Legend

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 Mohanjedaro and Harappa 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 .

Legend of Amarnath Cave

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 the Holy 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 Holy Cave.

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 near the cave.

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 Holy cave. 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 overwhelmed 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 valley of 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 Lakhs 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.

When To take up Yatra

The Amarnath Yatra is organised every year by the J &K Govt., the dates however, vary every year looking at the weather conditions and according to Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) in the month of Sharavan (Vikrama Samwat).

Yatra to Baba Amarnath holy cave for which one has to trek a height of about 14,500 ft is full of thrill and joy. The feeling of divine which is always beneath ones' heart, burst out and one realises 'Moksha' as one attends the cave and perform the prayer before the Shivlinga. Surrounded by beautiful valleys, mountains, one will always feel His presence on the paradise of the earth, the memory of which hardly vanishes with time.

Climate

The climatic conditions are very uncertain. Rain or snowfall may take place at any time or place during the Yatra. It is to be particularly noted that abrupt changes in temperature might occur. Sunny weather may turn into rain / snow fall in a short time. The temperature may fall up to -5 degree C.

How to reach

Air : Indian Airlines have daily flights to Delhi and Srinagar from Jammu. There are also flights to Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Leh.

Train

The Shalimar Express departs from Delhi at 4.10 pm and arrives in Jammu at 7 am. There are other trains to and from Delhi. From Jammu there are direct trains to Bombay, Calcutta (Jammu Tawi Exp # 3152, daily, 6.15 pm, 46 h).

Most buses leave between 6 and 7 am, in order to arrive before night. A ticket to Srinagar should be booked in advance. There are buses to Delhi (14 h), Amritsar (5 h), and Pathankot (3 h).

The first batch of Yatris (pilgrims) left from Jammu to Pahalgam/Baltal on 17 June escorted by paramilitary forces. The cave will be opened for two months and is expecting more than 4 lakh pilgrims. On the route pilgrims are offered free food. It is a unforgettable experience.

From Jammu, travel to the roadhead Pahalgam or Baltal for the trek to Amarnath cave. Ponies/horses and Dholi (carrying in a chair) are available at fixed rates.

Amarnath cave is a major Hindu pilgrim centre. The cave temple has an 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).

Are you a worshipper of Amarnathjee?

The Remote cave at 3900 m ASL is in Jammu Kashmir in India (145 km east of Srinagar) has been visited by more than 5.3 lakh devotees in 2008.

Yatra period : 1 July to 24 August 2010

Specialties : An ice Silva-linga, that changes size with the seasons, and also as the moon waxes and wanes it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about 2 m high.

Roadhead : Pahalgam, 96 km from Srinagar, and is a 42 km one way trek to the cave. The to and fro trek takes 4 to 5 days. On the trek route there are planty of camps providing accommodation and free food. This is a long route with gradual climb.

Another short and steep route is from Baltal near Sonamarg. The 14 km one way trek is ardous and those who are healthy can complete the trek in a day.

I started the trek at 5 am and reached back the Baltal camp at 10 pm totally exhausted after the darshan. Accomodation and limited free food are supplied on the camp sites on the route. The hospitality ones enjoys on the trek route will be an everlasting joyful experience.

Those who are old can rely on horses or Dholi having fixed to and fro rates from Baltal. Helicopters are operating from Baltal and Srinagar to the Holy cave.

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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.

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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.

Amarnath Yatra 2012 : Jammu and Kashmir bank started issuing forms for the yatra on 7 May 2012. Due to heavy rush most forms exhausted within 3 days of booking. More than 1.5 lakh pilgrims have registered for the yatra. Both routes to Amarnath (Baltal and Chandanwari) will be open from June 25.

The Annual 44 day pilgrimage to the 3880 m high holy cave of Amarnath located in Jammu & Kashmir begins. The first batch of 8000 pilgrims from Baltal visited the holy cave on 28 June 2014. The batch began the 16 km trek to the cave from Baltal and reached the cave by noon. Tight security arrangements has been for the smooth conduct of Yatra.

Chopper service to the holy cave was utilised by 152 pilgrims on the very first day. The 45 km long route from Pahalgam will be open from 1 July, as it is under snow.

Thanks for sharing all the information . It worth a clapppp

The 2014 Amarnath pilgrim season concludes on August 21, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. Around 4 lakh pilgrims visit the cave this year.

I visited this place after completing my boston to niagara trip. It is one of the most famous Hindu temples and a holy place for Hindus. This temple was made-up about 5000 years ago. Thousands of Hindu visits this place every year. This cave is also well known for its pillar of ice. This place is visited by mostly pilgrims during the month of July and August.