Amarnath Yatra – Pilgrimage to Amarnath Temple
Amarnath Yatra is an important pilgrimage for Hindus. According to Hindu belief, the Amarnath Cave Temple Yatra begins on Ashadha Purnima (Full Moon day in the month of Ashadha) and ends on Shravana Purnima (Full Moon day in the Hindu month of Shravana). That is, the annual yatra is performed during July and August. This year, the Amarnath Yatra 2011 begins on 29th June 2011 and concludes on 13th August 2011 on Raksha Bandhan festival day.
Amarnath Pilgrimage Journey
The pilgrimage generally starts from the 42 km travel on foot from the town of Pahalgam, (about 96 km from Srinagar) and lasts for four to five days. The traditional trek route is Pahalgam – Chandanwari – Pissu Top – Sheshnag – Panchtarni – Amarnath Cave. The Amarnath Cave is reached on the full moon day and the pilgrimage is complete. Another route is the shorter route from the town of Baltal.
About 400,000 people visit the Amarnath Cave Temple, during the 45 days Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage season.
History of Amarnath Temple
Amarnath Cave Temple is believed to be of 5,000 years old. Legend says that a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik discovered this Holy Cave. He was given a bag full of coal by a saint. The shepherd went home and opened the bag. He found that the bag was full of gold coins which made him happy. He went back to thank the Saint. But he found that the Saint had disappeared and noticed The Holy Cave. Thereafter this has become the holy place of pilgrimage.
Another legend about Amarnath Cave Temple says that the valley of Kashmir was beneath water and it was the sage Kashyap who drained the water through rivers and rivulets. Bhrigu Rishi who was on his way to The Himalyas was the first person to have found this Holy Cave and the Lingam.
According to Hindu Myth, Lord Shiva was looking for a secret isolated place to tell the "Amar Katha" to Goddess Parvathi and thus he selected the Amarnath Cave. He left his vehicle Nandi, the celestial bull, in Pahalgam, released the moon from his hair at Chandanwari and on the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he released the snakes. He left his son, Lord Ganesh, at Mahagunas Parvat and at Panjitarni, he left Five Elements of life - earth, water, air, fire and sky. At last he created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to fire up and remove every living thing in and around the holy cave. Then the Lord took Goddess Parvathi inside the cave to narrate the Amar Katha.
How to reach Amarnath Temple
By Air
The nearest airport is at Srinagar, around 141 km away from Amarnath Temple.
Jammu (300 km) serves as the nearest railhead and bus station. Jammu and Srinagar are connected through road services.
By Train / Bus
Jammu (300 km) serves as the nearest railhead and bus station. Jammu and Srinagar are connected through road services.
