Amarnath-shrine

The Holy shrine:-
Behind the discovery of the Holy Shrine lies an intresting story.Centuries ago Maa parvati asked shivaji to let her know why and when he started wearing the beads of heads(mund mala),to which Bhole sankar replied,'whenever you are born I add more heads to my bead'.Parvati said,"Idie again and again but you are Immortal.Please tell me the reason behind this".Bhole sankar replied that for this you have to listen 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.At chandanwari,he released moon(chand)from his hair(jataon).At the banks of Lake Shesnag,he released the snakes.He decided to leave his son ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat.At Panjatrni,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 sankar entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati maa and look his samadhi.To ensure that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale ,he created kal-agni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate every living thing in and aroud the holy cave.After this he started narrating the secret of immorality to maa parvati.But as a matter of chance a pair of pigeons overhead the story and become immortal. 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.
THE HOLY CAVE:-

It is situated in a narrow gorge at the further end of the lidder valley,Amarnath Shrine stands at 3,888m,46 km from phalgam and 14 km from Baltal.Though the original pilgrimages suscribes that the yatra (journey)be undertaken from Srinagar,the more common practice is to begin journey at Chandanwari,and cover the distance of Amarnathji and back in five days.Phalgam is 96km from srinagar. Amarnathji is considered to be one of the major hindu dhams.The holy caves is abode of Lord Shiva.The guardian of the absolute,lord shiva ,the destroyer,is the enshrined in the form of an ice-lingam in this cave.This lingam is formed naturally,which is believed to wax and wane with the moon.
The Discovery of The Holy Cave:-

Although the existance of the cave has been mentioned in the Puranas,the popular story narrated by people about the re-discovery of the holy cave is of a shepered Buta malik.Story goes like this"a saint gave buta malik bag full of coal.On the reaching of his home when he opened the bag ,to utter surprise the bag was full of gold coins.This overwhelmed him with joy.He ran to thank the saint.But the saint had disappeared.Instead ,he found the holy cave and the Ice shiv Lingam therer in.He announced this discovery to the villagers".Then onwards this become a scared place of pilgramage.
The Eternal Shiva:-

The ancient epics,narrate another story.The valley of kashmir was under water.It was all a big lake.Kashyap Rishi drained the water through a number of rivers and rivulets.In those days Bhrigu Rishi came that way to visit himalyas.He was first to have Darshan of this holy cave.When people heard of the lingum ,Amarnath for them become Shiva's abode and a center of pilgrimage. Since then Lacs of devotees perform the pilgrimages though terrain and achieve eternal happiness.The trek to amarnath ,in the month of sharvan(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 is believed to wax and wane with the moon's cycle.By its side are fascinating,two or more lingams that of their son Gnesha.

Out of all Hindu dieties,lord shiva is extremely popular not only amongst Indians but also amongst the people of other nationalaties.To get closer to lord shiva,who appears on this earth in the unique form of an Ice Lingam,millions of devotees trek through the daunting mountains to shri Amarnathji Shrine in south kashmir every year in the summer months to pay obeisance.The Shrine is managed by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board(SASB),that was constituted by an Act of the Jammu & Kashmir.
Plan a yatra:-

JAMMU-PAHALGAM-HOLY CAVE
Jakku-Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Pissutop-Shesnag-Panchtarni-holycave
JAMMU-BALTAL-HOLY CAVE
Jammu-baltal-Domail-Barari-Holy cave
Helicopter Booking
How to reach
By Air

Srinagar,the nearest aerodrome,has world famous sights to see,such as dullake,nagin lake, shankaracharya temple and mughal gardens like shalimar,nishant and cheshma-shai,known as "paradise on earth" and being the summer capital of j&k,the city of well connected by air and road.There are daily flights to srinagar from delhi and jammu.On certain weekdays flights also pickup passengersfrom chandigarh and leh.
By Rail:-

Jammu is the nearest railway station.Jammu is the winter capital of J&K.Also known as "city of temples" one may visit old temples such as Raghunath Temple ,mahadev temple and other temples.
By Road

Jammu and Srinagar are also connected through road.Buses and taxis are available for this part of the journey.These can hired on daily as well as on full tour basis.

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