Story, Significance, or Importance of The Amarnath Yatra
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India is a land of temples and pilgrimages that are famous worldwide. Amarnath Yatra is one of these famous pilgrimages, which takes place every year. This is a sacred journey to Amarnath Cave, which is in the Anantnag district of Kashmir. The Amarnath Yatra is considered to be one of the toughest pilgrimages in India. You will come to realize the importance of The Amarnath Yatra because it ranks among the supreme spiritual journeys in India.
The cave known as Amarnath Cave is located very high in the Himalayas at 12,756 ft (3,888 m). This is a natural cave formation and is not made by any living being. Glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and valleys surround Amarnath Cave and make a scenic background.
Pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave is known as Amarnath Yatra. The yatra takes place during the months of July to August each year. Devotees fondly call this cave Baba Barfarni Gufa.
Discovery of Amarnath Cave
- According to Hindu religious texts, it was Sage Bhrigu who first discovered Amarnath Cave. At that time the cave was under an ocean and the sage drained all the water and discovered the cave.
- Local folklore tells of a Muslim shepherd called Buta Malik, who was grazing his sheep when he met a saint. The saint gave a bag of coal to Buta Malik. When Buta Malik went home and opened the bag he found gold instead of coal. He became happy to discover that the coal had turned into gold by magic. He went to the place where he had met the saint. But there was no saint to be seen at all. Instead, there was a huge cave and a Shiv Linga on the spot. He told the villagers of the divine powers of the place and since then this holy pilgrimage has been taking place.
Historical references to Amarnath Cave
Many travelers have mentioned the site of Amarnath Cave in their books and travelogues.
- Abul Fazal who wrote the Ain-e-Akbari in the 16th century, mentioned the cave. He mentioned the shivlinga to wax and wane according to the seasons.
- François Bernier accompanied Emperor Akbar on his travels and wrote about Amarnath Cave in his book, Travels in Mughal Empire. He mentioned a grotto that was full of strange formations and structures. This grotto was nothing else but the Amarnath Cave.
- Swami Vivekananda visited Amarnath Cave in 1898.
Importance of The Amarnath Yatra
The Amarnath Yatra is a very spiritual and religious experience for tourists. It is also a cultural phenomenon where you can experience the culture of the Kashmir region and its wildlife. Many yatris come together during this yatra and develop strong bonds. The locals get a source of income by offering their services and this also improves the economic conditions.
Mythological Story of Amarnath Yatra
The story of Amarnath Yatra is a story of Lord Shiva. He revealed the secret of the creation of the universe and immortality to Parvati at this place. The story that Lord Shiva tells Parvati is called Amar Katha. He goes to Amarnath Cave and tells Parvati that he chose the place because it is isolated and no other person will be able to hear the secret except Parvati. He leaves Nandi the Bull at Pahalgam, his snake at Sheshnag, the moon at Chandanwari, his sons at Mahagunas Parvat, and five elements at Panjtarni. This is the mythological story about Amarnath Yatra.
The Amarnath Shiv Linga
Everything about Amarnath Yatra is unbelievable and true. Even the Shivlinga inside the Amarnath Cave is amazing. This shiv linga is not made by any man or woman but is a naturally formed shiv linga. The shivlinga is made of frozen water that has turned into ice at such high altitudes. This cave has stalagmite formations. When the water from the ceiling of the cave drops down, it makes an icy mound that grows upward. This is the Shiv linga that is regarded as an eternal manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Amarnath Yatra Pilgrimage
- The pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave is called the Amarnath Yatra. This yatra duration is around 45 days and takes place between July and August. By booking any of the Amarnath Yatra Package you can undertake the pilgrimage. There are two popular routes to Amarnath Yatra. One route is the Pahalgam-Chandanwari route and the other is the Baltal route.
- Pahalgam-Chandanwari route is more easier route and also very popular than the Baltal route. It is 43 kilometers long. This route is the mountainous route and the places that come on this route are Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Pisu Top, Sheshnag Lake, Ganesh Top, Panchtarni, Sangam, Amarnath Cave.
- Baltal route: This route goes through a tougher and steeper terrain. It is 13 km long, but the steep terrain makes it difficult to climb.
Also must read: A Step-by-Step Guide to Amarnath Yatra Route
How to reach Amarnath Cave
You will have to make use of many travel modes to reach Amarnath Cave. You can board flights and trains, go by road, and do a lot of trekking for this yatra.
- Start by arriving at Srinagar Airport by flight or train.
- Srinagar to Baltal or Srinagar to Pahalgam is your next step. These places have base camps for the Amarnath Yatra.
- You can also book the Amarnath Yatra Package by Helicopter if you want to make a quicker route in a short time.
- Amarnath Yatra by Helicopter is more expensive but quicker. The helipads are at Baltal and Pahalgam.
Also must read: how to reach Amarnath?
Best time for Amarnath Yatra
Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage season starts in July and lasts up to August. These are also the months of Shravan and Ashadha according to the Hindu calendar. The weather during this period, though unpredictable, is ideal for this yatra. Himalayan terrain is mountainous, but the trekking routes were developed for the yatris before these months by the government with the help of the Indian Army. There might be rain or cold weather here, but the overall conditions will remain sunny.
Also must read: best time to visit Amarnath
Conclusion
We hope you found out why the Amarnath Yatra is so important to the Hindus. The importance of Amarnath Yatra is clear from the fact that despite the tough Himalayan conditions, tourists from India undertake this pilgrimage. You must also remember that this yatra happens as a group tour, so you will travel in a group and never will be alone. You can forget about traveling solo during this whole yatra. The stay in camps is a great way to experience the culture and companionship of fellow travelers. You must prepare for this yatra at least once in your lifetime.
