Amaranth Yatra Festivals - अमरनाथ यात्रा
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In the month of Shravan, thousands of pilgrims make an arduous trek up to the Amaranth cave in the Kashmir Himalayas. They take the journey to worship the sacred ice Lingam - a symbol of Lord Shiva.
Located 145 kilometers east of Srinagar in Kashmir, Amaranth is virtually a paradise for the Hindus. There is no Hindu in the world who would not like to go on a tour to this consecrated place. An Amaranth Yatra is said to be most promising for the Hindus. Amaranth Yatra is said to be sacramental because of the fact that it releases human beings from all their sins and also guarantees their entry into heaven.
The pilgrimage is undertaken in the month of Shravan (July -August) each year and lasts for approximately 40 days. Thousands of pilgrims make an arduous trek up to the Amaranth cave, located at a height of 3,888 m in the Kashmir Himalayas through rocky terrains, snowy mountains under unpredictable weather conditions. They come to worship the sacred ice 'Lingam' -a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, which is a natural phenomenon and considered a miracle.
Since the Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organized travel systems numerous tourists visit Amaranth during Shivratri and also at other times of the year. It is a place of spirituality and adventure. The ancient Indian chronicles testify the existence of Amaranth as a splendid spiritual locale.
Those two pigeons (who were born from the remaining egg after Shiva cleared all traces of life from the Amaranth cave), are often seen by the visitors during their tour to Amaranth. Tour to Amaranth is a rigorous journey that requires courage and enthusiasm.
The route to Amaranth consists of a journey over large mountainous regions and often for help there is a donkey or a horse at hand. But when the tourists go too high up the mountain then there is no aid; then they are required to walk alone with sticks in their hands.
There is also a number of hot springs on the way. Hot Springs in the midst of such snowy terrain is an amazing natural occurrence.
Time for the celebration of Amaranth Yatra: Amaranth Yatra is conducted by tour operators all round the year but especially at March or at the end of February (during Shivratri).
Amaranth Yatra started in the year 1850 AD. Devotees believe that one can get salvation by witnessing 'Shiv Lingam'. There are several legends behind its origin.
It was a Muslim shepherd, Buta Malik who discovered the cave and the naturally formed shiv Lingam. According to popular belief, Buta Malik was given a sack of coal by a sadhu. But when he open the sack at home, he found that it was full of gold. Overjoyed he went back to thank the sadhu but found the cave on the spot where they met. From then on the cave was venerated as a pilgrim centre and a representative from the Malik family would be present at the holy shrine along with the Hindu priest during the time of the pilgrimage.
It is said that Lord Shiva recounted the secret of creation to Parvathi in this cave which was overheard by a pair of doves who became immortal and made this cave their eternal abode. Pilgrims still report seeing these doves at the cave. More details...
History of the Amaranth Yatra in Jammu: There is a myth connected with the Amaranth Yatra. This saga begins with the intention of Lord Shiva to narrate the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvathi. To do so, he started on his journey to Amaranth and on his way left all he had to ensure that no one listened to the secret.
He left his bull known as Nandi at Pahalgam. He also released the moon from his hair at Chandanwari. Lord Shiva unconfined his snakes on the banks of the Lake Sheshnag and ultimately left his son Ganesh at Mahagunas Parvat. He finally left the five elements namely earth, air, water, fire and sky at Panjtarni.
After his arrival at Amaranth, Lord Shiva seated himself on a deerskin and took his Samadhi so that no one could hear his secret. He created Rudra and Kalagni who would eliminate all traces of life from the vicinity of the cave.
But an egg escaped his eye and remained under his deerskin. A pair of pigeons emerged from that egg and it is said that those two pigeons became immortal because they heard the tale of immortality.
There is also another legend related to the Amaranth Yatra. According to this tale a shepherd by the name Buta Malik found this holy cave. A saint presented him a sack full of coal which he gladly accepted.
But, after reaching home he found that the bag full of coal had turned into gold. This was an amazing incident and the place where Buta Malik found the saint was nowhere but Amaranth Cave.
Located 145 kilometers east of Srinagar in Kashmir, Amaranth is virtually a paradise for the Hindus. There is no Hindu in the world who would not like to go on a tour to this consecrated place. An Amaranth Yatra is said to be most promising for the Hindus. Amaranth Yatra is said to be sacramental because of the fact that it releases human beings from all their sins and also guarantees their entry into heaven.
The pilgrimage is undertaken in the month of Shravan (July -August) each year and lasts for approximately 40 days. Thousands of pilgrims make an arduous trek up to the Amaranth cave, located at a height of 3,888 m in the Kashmir Himalayas through rocky terrains, snowy mountains under unpredictable weather conditions. They come to worship the sacred ice 'Lingam' -a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, which is a natural phenomenon and considered a miracle.
Since the Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organized travel systems numerous tourists visit Amaranth during Shivratri and also at other times of the year. It is a place of spirituality and adventure. The ancient Indian chronicles testify the existence of Amaranth as a splendid spiritual locale.
Those two pigeons (who were born from the remaining egg after Shiva cleared all traces of life from the Amaranth cave), are often seen by the visitors during their tour to Amaranth. Tour to Amaranth is a rigorous journey that requires courage and enthusiasm.
The route to Amaranth consists of a journey over large mountainous regions and often for help there is a donkey or a horse at hand. But when the tourists go too high up the mountain then there is no aid; then they are required to walk alone with sticks in their hands.
There is also a number of hot springs on the way. Hot Springs in the midst of such snowy terrain is an amazing natural occurrence.
Time for the celebration of Amaranth Yatra: Amaranth Yatra is conducted by tour operators all round the year but especially at March or at the end of February (during Shivratri).
Amaranth Yatra started in the year 1850 AD. Devotees believe that one can get salvation by witnessing 'Shiv Lingam'. There are several legends behind its origin.
It was a Muslim shepherd, Buta Malik who discovered the cave and the naturally formed shiv Lingam. According to popular belief, Buta Malik was given a sack of coal by a sadhu. But when he open the sack at home, he found that it was full of gold. Overjoyed he went back to thank the sadhu but found the cave on the spot where they met. From then on the cave was venerated as a pilgrim centre and a representative from the Malik family would be present at the holy shrine along with the Hindu priest during the time of the pilgrimage.
It is said that Lord Shiva recounted the secret of creation to Parvathi in this cave which was overheard by a pair of doves who became immortal and made this cave their eternal abode. Pilgrims still report seeing these doves at the cave. More details...
History of the Amaranth Yatra in Jammu: There is a myth connected with the Amaranth Yatra. This saga begins with the intention of Lord Shiva to narrate the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvathi. To do so, he started on his journey to Amaranth and on his way left all he had to ensure that no one listened to the secret.
He left his bull known as Nandi at Pahalgam. He also released the moon from his hair at Chandanwari. Lord Shiva unconfined his snakes on the banks of the Lake Sheshnag and ultimately left his son Ganesh at Mahagunas Parvat. He finally left the five elements namely earth, air, water, fire and sky at Panjtarni.
After his arrival at Amaranth, Lord Shiva seated himself on a deerskin and took his Samadhi so that no one could hear his secret. He created Rudra and Kalagni who would eliminate all traces of life from the vicinity of the cave.
But an egg escaped his eye and remained under his deerskin. A pair of pigeons emerged from that egg and it is said that those two pigeons became immortal because they heard the tale of immortality.
There is also another legend related to the Amaranth Yatra. According to this tale a shepherd by the name Buta Malik found this holy cave. A saint presented him a sack full of coal which he gladly accepted.
But, after reaching home he found that the bag full of coal had turned into gold. This was an amazing incident and the place where Buta Malik found the saint was nowhere but Amaranth Cave.
