Amarnath Temple
Table of Contents
The Amarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated at the dock of the Himalayas, is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites for Hindus, to which the faith of millions of devotees is attached.
This holy shrine is located 135 km to the north-east of Srinagar, whose height is about 13 thousand, 600 feet above sea level. The length of this holy cave is 19 meters, width is 16 meters and height is 11 meters.
The secret of the immortality of Lord Shankar and Mother Parvati was told in this prominent Amarnath cave of Lord Shiva, hence this holy place is also called the pilgrimage of pilgrimages.
All the wishes of the devotees are fulfilled by visiting this holy cave, although its sightings are very rare, after great difficulties devotees reach here to see it. This holy temple has a historical and mythological significance of its own.
This is the specialty of this holy cave of Hindus that every year a very beautiful Shivling is formed from snow here, hence it is also known as Snowman Baba, Swayambhu ‘Himani Shivling’ etc.
Devotees from far and wide reach here to see this holy Himling. The Amarnath Yatra is about 45 days a year, mostly between July and August.
Shiva devotees from every corner of the world go on Amarnath Yatra for the holy Himling Darshan, which takes place from Ashadh Purnima to Rakshabandhan, the holy festival of brother and sister.
Religious Belief in Amarnath Temple
- According to Hindu religious beliefs, this is the place where Lord Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his wife Parvati.
- The ice pillar inside the cave is also called the Ice Lingam, the Mahabharata Puranas, and ancient Hindu texts mention that the lingam represents Lord Shiva.
- According to Hindu religious beliefs, it is said that the height of the lingam increases and decreases with the phases of the moon, in the month of Shravan, on the full moon in August, the lingam reaches its greatest size, although there is no scientific evidence for this. Yes, it’s just a belief.
- The size of the Amarnath cave is about 150 feet. In this, drops of ice water keep dripping from place to place. About ten feet long Shivling is formed from the snow droplets dripping from these drops. With the increase and decrease of the moon, its size also keeps on increasing.
- The surprising thing is that this Shivling is made of solid ice, whereas in such caves, it is usually raw ice which becomes friable as soon as it is taken in hand. Many feet away from the main Shivalinga of Amarnath, different icebergs of Ganesh, Bhairav and Parvati are also formed.
- It is believed that in this cave Lord Shiva had narrated the story of immortality to Mother Parvati, listening to which Shuk the infant born at the same time became immortal in the form of Shukdev Rishi.
- Such stories are also prevalent that the devotees on whom Shiva is pleased Parvati gives a direct darshan to them in the form of a pair of pigeons and they attain salvation.
- It is also said that this pair of pigeons giving darshan to the fortunate is actually the same one who has become immortal after listening to the story of immortality narrated by Lord Shiva.
- Some religious scholars are of the opinion that when Shiva was taking Parvati to narrate the immortal story, the places where he had left small infinite serpents, sandalwood on his forehead, fleas and Sheshnag around his neck were all Anantnag, Chandanbari, Pisa Top and Sheshnag became famous.
- The Amarnath cave was first known to Buta Malik, a Muslim shepherd in the sixteenth century. Even today, the fourth offering of the temple is given to the descendants of that Muslim shepherd. Also, all the flower sellers here are also Muslims.
- It is said that this shepherd met a monk in the forest while grazing animals. The monk gave Buta a kangri filled with coal. When he reached home, he was very surprised and at the same time found gold in the kangri instead of coal. But there a huge cave was found in place of the monk and from that day this place became a pilgrimage.
- Amarnath Yatra also known as Chadi Mubarak begins as a procession with all the devotees and sages. The Amarnath Shrine Board takes all the responsibility of taking care of all the pilgrims visiting during this period.
History of Amarnath Temple
Amarnath is the most popular and religious place for pilgrimage of the people of Hinduism. Traveling here has its own importance and there are many mythological and historical stories about this holy place.
Talking about the history of Amarnath cave, once Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati asked him why he wears a garland of Mund, then Lord Shiva replied to him that as many times as you have taken birth, I have worn the same number of heads.
It is said that at this place Lord Shiva had narrated the immortal story to Parvati and told the secret of her immortality, hence this place is called Amarnath.
While narrating this story, Lord Shiva also made a Rudra who had set this cave on fire that no living person could find this story but a pigeon hid its eggs there and later it turned into a pair of pigeons. Went. It is said that after listening to the “Amar Katha”, those pigeons became immortal. Many pilgrims have also claimed to see pigeons at this holy place.
It is also mentioned in history that the great ruler Aryaraja used to worship Shivling made of ice in Kashmir. It is also named as Amarnath or Amareshwar in Rajatrangini book.
It is said that in the 11th century, Queen Suryamathi had presented Trishul, Banaling and other sacred symbols to the temple as a gift. The journey to Amarnath cave was started by Prajabhatta. Along with this, there are many other stories about this cave in history.
Baba Barfani Gufa Amarnath Temple
It is said that after the medieval times, people started forgetting this cave before the religious leaders discovered it again in the 15th century.
Another story related to this cave is of Bhrigu Muni. Long ago, it was said that the valley of Kashmir was submerged and Kashyap Muni had flown the Kui rivers.
That is why when the water started drying up, it was Bhrigu Muni who first saw Lord Amarnath.
After this, when people heard about the Amarnath Linga, then this linga came to be called the Shivling of Lord Bholenath and now every year lakhs of devotees come to visit Lord Amarnath.
Amarnath temple ice Lingam
Due to the freezing of water droplets in the 40 m high Amarnath cave, an ascending deposit of stone is formed.
People of Hindu religion consider this icy stone as Shivling. This cave is made of wax from May to August because at that time the snow of the Himalayas melts and starts freezing on this cave and we get to see a replica of Shivling.
In the middle of these months, the arrival of Shivling decreases day by day. It is said that the size of this linga also varies according to the time of rising and setting of Sun and Moon. But there is no scientific evidence for this.
According to Hindu Mahatmas, this is the same cave where Lord Shiva explained the importance of life to Mother Parvati.
According to other beliefs, the stone made of ice represents Parvati and Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva.
The main annual pilgrimage center of this cave is the place of Shivling formed from ice.
Way to Amarnath Temple
Devotees travel on foot from Srinagar or Pahalgam. After this it takes about 5 days to travel.
State Transport Corporation and Private Transport Transport Operators provide daily travel services from Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal. Along with this, we can also do private taxis from Jammu and Kashmir.
The northern route is about 16 kilometers long but it is very difficult to climb this route. This route starts from Baltal and reaches the cave through Domial, Barari and Sangam. On the northern way, we also get to see the Amarnath Valley and the Amaravathi River which is connected to the Amarnath Glacier.
It is said that Lord Shiva left Nandi and the bull at Pahalgam (bull village). In Chandanwadi, he had released Chandra from his hair. And he had left his snake on the bank of Sheshnag Sarovar.
He had left Lord Ganesha on the Mahagunas (Mahaganesh hill) mountain. At Panjtarni, he left the five elements – earth, water, air, fire and sky. And thus sacrificing all the things of the world, Lord Shiva did the Tandava dance there. And finally Lord came to the holy cave Amarnath with Goddess Parvati.
Amarnath Temple Tour
Devotees visit Lord Amarnath every year to darshan during the 45-day festival. Most of the devotees come only in the months of July and August during the Shravani fair, in the same time also the holiest month of Shravan of Hindus also comes.
When the journey of Amarnath begins, then it is also called the first worship of Lord Shri Amarnathji.
In olden times the way to the cave used to pass through Rawalpindi (Pakistan) but now we can go directly to Jammu by train, Jammu is also called as Winter Capital of India.
The best time for this journey is during Guru Purnima and Shravan Purnima. For the convenience of the devotees, the Jammu and Kashmir government has provided all the facilities along the way. So that the devotees can easily complete their Amarnath Yatra. But sometimes the rain comes as a hindrance in the travel of the travelers.
Bus service from Jammu to Pahalgam (7500 ft) is also available. In Pahalgam, devotees sometimes keep porters for their salmon and clothes. There everyone is busy preparing for the journey.
Along with this, when the gleaming golden rays of the sun fall on the Pahalgam river, then a beautiful view is also visible to the travelers. Pahalgam in Kashmir means the land of religious leaders.
Amarnath Yatra Organizer
Officially, the yatra is organized by the state government in association with the Shri Amarnath Yatra Board. The government agency provides all the amenities required during the journey to the devotees, which includes all facilities like clothes, food, tents, telecommunication.
Amarnath is formed by joining two Hindi words “Amar” meaning “indestructible” and “Nath” meaning “God”.
According to a legend, when Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to reveal the secret of immortality which he had been hiding from her for a long time. Then, to tell this secret, Lord Shiva took Parvati to this cave in the Himalayas, so that no one could hear this secret of her, and this is what Lord Shiva told Goddess Parvati the secret of immortality.
Amenities at Amarnath Temple
On the way to the cave, many social organizations arrange tents or pandals for the devotees to eat, rest.
More than 100 pandals are set up along the way of the yatra, which we can also rent for overnight stay. Helicopter facility is also provided from the lower camp to Panjtarni (6 kms from the cave).
Where precisely is the Amarnath Temple Cave ?
Amarnath temple near visiting places
Some of the major places around the Amarnath Temple are given below.
1- Baltal
Baltal is famous for the accommodation of pilgrims. It is situated at an altitude of about 2743 m above sea level. It is situated at a distance of 14 kms from Amarnath Temple. The place serves as a base camp for the devotees, with ample arrangement of pitch tents to spend the night.
2-Pahalgam
Pahalgam is a beautiful hill station located in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir Valley. Which attracts tourists towards you. Pahalgam is situated on the banks of the Lidder River, immersed in the lush greenery and the alluring Himalayan ranges. Here you can take part in adventure activities like hiking, trekking, fishing.
3- Mamal Temple
The Mamal temple was constructed in the 4th century. According to ancient stories, the Mamal temple is built in the memory of the incident when Lord Shiva appointed Lord Ganesha as the gatekeeper to prevent anyone from entering his abode.
4- Chandanwadi
Chandanwari is the place where lush green meadows and snow-capped mountains merge with each other. The huge glacier on top of it adds to the beauty of this place manifold. Chandanwari is a great place for trekking and other outdoor activities in Kashmir.
5- Thulian Lake
You can clearly see the white snow floating in Thulian Lake. This lake is surrounded by mountains, deodar trees and mountain vegetation. Sitting by the lake for peace of mind gives a heavenly experience.
How to Reach Amarnath Cave
FAQs about Amarnath Temple
Where is Amarnath Temple located?
Amarnath Temple is a Hindu temple located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. This cave is located at an altitude of 3,888 meters, about 141 kilometers from Srinagar.
What is the distance vaishno devi to amarnath?
354 KM by Road
What is history of Amarnath Temple?
According to the ancient texts of Hinduism, this holy site was discovered by the famous sage Bhrigu Muni of Hinduism. It is believed that at that time the entire Kashmir valley was submerged in water and another powerful sage Kashyap Muni shed water with his divine powers. After the water came out, Bhrigu Rishi first had a vision of Lord Shiva in Amarnath.
What is the significance of Amarnath temple?
Amarnath is one of the most important pilgrimages in India for the worshipers of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave has a naturally made Shivalinga.