Today , lets continue our teerth Yatra with the holy Amarnath yatra.We all are blessed to visit this sacred abode of Lord Shiva.
Amarnath yatra is considered as the most sacred pilgrimage in the Hindu religion. The journey is of 141 km from Srinagar, the Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated at a height of 4,175m. The yatra is mainly conducted in the month of July and August every year. The yatra is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the Holy Trinity.
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 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 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 Lacs of devotees perform the pilgrimage through tough terrain and avail eternal happiness.
PAHALGAM : It is 96 KM from Srinagar .This distance can be covered by car,bus or taxi. Pahalgam is known all over the world for its beauty. It is small town situated on the banks of Lidder River. It is surrounded by high mountains. All essentials can be bought here. Good Hotels are available for accommodation. However the arrangements for stay and Langar are also made by the Non Government Service Organisations.
The distance from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is 16km. The route is good .It can be covered by road transport also. Mini buses are also available from Pahalgam to reach Chandanwari. The trail runs along the Lidder River . The route is scenic. Food is available here. Pilgrims camp at Pahalgam or Chandanwari on the first night .
Chandanwari is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which takes place every year in the month of Sawan (Rain).
The zig-zag route leading to Pissu Top
View of Chandanwari Side taken from Pissutop
PISSU TOP : As the Yatra proceed further from Chandanwari one climbs a height to reach Pissu Top. It is said that to be first to reach for darshan of Bhole Nath Shivshankar there was a war between Devtas and Rakshas . With the power of Shiv , devtas could kill the rakshas in such large number that the heap of their dead bodies has resulted in this high mountain.
Beautiful View of Sheshnag Lake
SHESHNAG:This second day's trek of 12 kms from Chandanwari is through Pissu Top and spectacular, primeval countryside, and reaches Sheshnag – a mountain which derives its name from its Seven Peaks, resembling the heads of the mythical snake.
The Journey to Sheshnag follows steep inclines on the right bank of a cascading stream and wild scenery untouched by civilisation. The second night's camp at Sheshnag overlooks the deep blue waters of Sheshnag lake, and glaciers beyond it.
There are legends of love and revenge too associated with Sheshnag, and at the camp these are narrated by campfires . The stillness of a pine scented Himalayan night increases your inner joy. Yatris can take bath and get their fatigue alleviated. It is beautiful and scenic.
From Sheshnag one has to climb steep height up across Mahagunas Pass at 4276 mtrs.(14000 ft) for 4.6 KM and then descending to the meadow lands of Panchtarni at a height of 3657 mtrs (12000 ft).
The last camp enroute to the Holy Cave is made here on third day. Here one faces cold winds which cause the skin to crack .
Hence cold cream / Vaseline are very useful for protection of skin. Some Yatris are also effected by deficiency of oxygen .Some may get the feeling of vomiting .
So dry fruit like Allu Bukhara ,sour and sweet eatables like Lemon are useful to control these symptoms . The route to Mahagunas is full of rivulets , water falls , springs .
PANCHTARNI:Panchtarni is a very beautiful place in the feet of BHAIRAV MOUNT. Five Rivers flow here . It is said that the five rivers origanated from Lord Shiva's Hairs (Jataon).
Pilgrims camp at Panchtarni on the 3rd night
The Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath is only 6 kms from Panchtarni. As there is no place to stay hence the pilgrims start in the early hours of the morning after their stay at Panchtarni
Pilgrims between Panchtarni and the Amarnath Caves
Pilgrims almost at the Amarnath Caves .On the way to The Holy Cave one comes across the Sangam of Amravati and Panchtarni. Some pilgrims take bath at Amravati near holy cave to become pious before going for Darshan. Near the cave is found white soil known as Bhasam. It is the most beloved soil of Shiv ji . The pilgrims apply this Holy soil to their body and then go for Shivlingam Darshan.
View of Holy Amarnath Cave as seen from out side
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 .
Inside View of Holy Cave
Behind the discovery of the Holy Shrine lies an interesting story. Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shivji to let her know why and when he started wearing the beads of heads (Mund Mala), to which Bhole Shankar replied, "whenever you are born I add more heads to my bead". Parvati said, "I die again and again, but you are Immortal. Please tell me the reason behind this". "Bhole Shankar replied that for this you will have to listen to the Amar Katha"
Shiv agreed to narrate the detailed story to Maa Parvati. He started for a lonely place where no living being could listen to the immortal secret and ultimately chose Amarnath Cave. In the hush-hush, he left his Nandi (the Bull which He used to ride) at Pahalgam (Bail gaon). At Chandwari , he released Moon (Chand) 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 give birth to life and of which he is the Lord.
After leaving behind all these, Bhole Shankar entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati Maa and took his Samadhi. To ensure that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale, he created 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 a pair of pigeons overhead the story and became immortal.
View Pigeons In Holy Cave : Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of pigeons at the Holy Shrine even today and are amazed as to how these birds survive in such a cold and high altitude area
May the Swayambhu (Shiva) Lingam bless our souls with His divine darshan and shower His grace upon us to fill our lives with peace , love and contentment in our hearts.
Baba's Miracle of Lighting the Lamps
Baba, the Heavenly Father in human form descended to Shirdi to protect the weak and the poor. He lit the Lamp of Wisdom to dispel the darkness of ignorance. Baba was fond of lights. Every evening He used to illumine every corner of Dwarakamayi by keeping lighted lamps in rows. He used to procure necessary oil to light the lamps from the local traders. One day the traders lied to Baba that there was no stock of oil. But Baba did not felt annoyed with them. He smiled and returned to the mosque with an empty oil can. Curious as they were, the traders followed Baba to see how He would lit the lamps without oil. Baba poured water into the oil can with a couple of oil drops in it, shook it, drank the water, spit into the oil can and poured the water into the earthen lamps and lit them. Wonder of the wonders, the lamps burnt luminously throughout the night to the utter amazement of the traders who were awe-struck. Baba gently exhorted them, 'If you are unwilling to give, do not give. But do not tell a lie. You could as well say 'No'. Ashamed, the traders prostrated before Baba and sought His forgiveness. The lights of wisdom were lit by Baba in their hearts. In that celestial light, the people of Shirdi sensed Baba's Divinity. Baba is an embodiment of love. Is not He? They were all forgiven and embraced by the Merciful Baba.