Amarnath Cave Temple
Amarnath cave temple, situated in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, holds immense significance for worshippers of Lord Shiva and stands as one of India's most prominent pilgrimage destinations.
Within the Amarnath Cave, a naturally formed Shivaling made of ice bears a striking resemblance to Lord Shiva.
Every year, Amarnath attracts millions of tourists, including devotees, from around the world to embark on the challenging mountainous trek known as the 'Amarnath Yatra.'
According to legend, this cave is believed to be the very place where Lord Shiva imparted the secret of life and eternity to Goddess Parvati.
Amarnath Cave Temple Mythology
Numerous legends are associated with the Amarnath Cave Temple, but one of the most renowned legends tells the story of Lord Shiva choosing this location to reveal the secret of immortality and the creation of the universe to Goddess Parvati.
In this tale, Lord Shiva explained to Goddess Parvati the significance of the bead of heads he wears. He revealed that the head in the bead increases with each of her rebirths. This led Goddess Parvati to inquire about the source of Lord Shiva's immortality.
Lord Shiva informed her that she had asked to hear the Amar Katha, a story so profound that it would be challenging for a human to listen to it in one sitting without sleep.
Goddess Parvati persisted in her request, and after much time, Lord Shiva agreed to disclose the story but sought a secluded place where only Mata Parvati could hear it.
On their way to the Amarnath Cave, Lord Shiva left behind his belongings, including his snake at Sheshnag Lake, Nandi bull at Pahalgam, his moon at Chandanwari, his son at Mahagunas Parvat, and at Panjtarni, he left his five elements (Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Sky).
Upon entering the sacred cave with Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva sat on a deerskin and entered a deep meditative state. To ensure the cave was empty, he created a Rudra named Kalagni and instructed him to set the cave on fire, destroying all living beings inside.
Lord Shiva began narrating the story of immortality to Goddess Parvati. Unbeknownst to him, an egg remained protected beneath the deerskin upon which he sat.
From this egg, a pair of pigeons hatched and, as the legend goes, became immortal by listening to the story while in their egg form.
Today, pilgrims can encounter this pair of pigeons on their way to the Amarnath Cave, affectionately known as the 'Amarnath Pigeons.' It is believed that they are the very pigeons that heard the tale of immortality all those years ago.
Amarnath Cave Temple History
It is believed that the Amarnath Cave was initially discovered by a shepherd named Buta Malik.
However, historical records in the book "Rajatarangini" mention the Amarnath Temple (Amareshwar), suggesting that Queen Suryamathi presented Trishul, banalingas, and sacred emblems to the Amarnath Temple in the 11th century AD.
Over time, the story of Queen Suryamathi's contribution was forgotten, and when Buta Malik rediscovered the cave in the 15th century, her story faded into obscurity.
According to the legend, Buta Malik received a bag of coal from a saint. Upon returning home, he was astonished to find gold coins instead of coal.
Filled with gratitude, he attempted to locate the saint to express his thanks but instead stumbled upon the cave containing the Shivling.
This discovery marked the beginning of the significance of the Amarnath Cave as a major pilgrimage site for Hindus.
Narrative from Epics
There are alternative accounts that present a different narrative. According to one of these epics, the Kashmir Valley was submerged underwater, and Kashyap Rishi drained it through various rivers and rivulets.
During the same period, Bhrigu Rishi visited the Himalayas and was the first to have darshan (sight) of the sacred Amarnath Cave. Word of this event quickly spread, and the cave became recognized as Shiva's abode and a significant pilgrimage center.
Since then, a multitude of devotees have undertaken the Amarnath Yatra, traversing rugged terrain in search of eternal happiness.
Best Time to Visit Amarnath Temple
The Amarnath Temple / Amarnath Cave Temple is accessible exclusively during the Sharavan months of July-August.
There are two routes to embark on the Amarnath Yatra - one via Baltal and the other via Pahalgam. The Baltal route, while shorter, involves a more challenging trek.
On the other hand, the Pahalgam route is longer but is the preferred choice for most devotees. Typically, it takes 3-5 days to reach Amarnath from the starting point.
Helicopter services are now offered by private operators on both of these routes. Devotees are required to make advance bookings and register in advance to participate in the sacred Amarnath pilgrimage.
Official Website - https://jksasb.nic.in/ & http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com/
How To Reach
There are two established routes to reach the sacred Amarnath Cave: one starting from Jammu to Pahalgam and the other from Jammu to Baltal.
Pilgrims have the option to commence their spiritual journey from either of these two locations. The northern route from Baltal is shorter, spanning approximately 14 km.
However, it is characterized by steep terrain, so many people opt for the route starting from Pahalgam, which is longer but easier and follows the more traditional path. Devotees can choose to begin their journey from Srinagar or Pahalgam, often embarking on this sacred pilgrimage barefoot.
Route 1 - Jammu to Baltal (Short Route)
14 KM from Cave, Total time for complete round trip = 1-2 Days, Difficult
The route from Jammu to Baltal, the shorter one, follows this path:
Baltal -> Domali –> Barari -> Sangam -> Amarnath Cave Temple.
The journey begins with a 2 km stretch from Baltal to Domali, followed by a 6 km distance to Barari from Domali. After covering an additional 4 km, you'll reach Sangam, and from there, it's a 2 km trek to the holy cave.
The total distance from Baltal to the sacred cave is approximately 14 km, and completing a round trip typically takes 1-2 days. It's important to note that there are no pony ride options on this route due to safety concerns.
The primary means of reaching the holy cave on this route are either by walking or using Dandies (a type of palanquin).
This route is considered favorable for the return journey as it features a less steep slope, reducing the risk of health issues, especially for those who may not be accustomed to the challenging climatic conditions.
Route 2 - Jammu to Pahalgam (Long Route)
46 KM from Cave, Total time for complete round trip = 3-5 Days, Easy , Pony Avaialble
The route from Pahalgam to the sacred Amarnath Cave follows this path:
Pahalgam –> Chandanwadi –> Pissu Top –> Zoji Bal –> Naga Koti –> Sheshnag –> Warbal –> Mahagunas Top –> Pabibal –> Panchtarni –> Sangam –> Amarnath Cave Temple.
The journey begins with a 16 km travel from Pahalgam to Chandanwari. Upon reaching Chandanwari, you'll need to trek approximately 13 km to reach Sheshnag.
From Sheshnag, continue your trek to Panchtarni, covering a distance of 4.6 km. Finally, trek from Panchtarni to reach the holy cave of Baba Bholenath.
This route is the most preferred one for visiting the holy cave of Baba Bholenath. The trek spans approximately 36 to 48 km, and it typically takes 3-5 days for a one-way journey.
This route is known for being heavily populated with ponies and is considered the best choice for older individuals or devotees with health concerns.
✈️ By Air
The nearest airport to Amarnath is situated in Srinagar, which is approximately 95 km away from Pahalgam, the base camp for the holy cave. Several well-established and reputable airlines operate flights from major cities in India, including Jet Airways, Air India, Go Air, Indigo, and Jet Konnect.
🚝 By Train
Jammu, the nearest railway station, enjoys good connectivity with many major cities across India. There are several trains that operate between major cities and Amarnath, including Jammu Rajdhani, Himgiri Express, Andaman Express, Sarvodaya Express, and Jhelum Express.
🚗 By Road
Traveling by bus can be time-consuming, so it's advisable to consider hiring a taxi if you want to cover the distance by road.
How to Reach Amarnath from Delhi
The distance between Amarnath and Delhi is approximately 638 kilometers.
To reach Amarnath from the capital city of India, there are several convenient options:
- By Bus: You can find many websites offering online bus ticket services from Delhi to the holy cave of Baba Barfani. These buses come in various categories such as A/C, non-A/C, and Volvo Bus. Both private and public buses operate on this route.
- By Air: The nearest airport to Amarnath is Srinagar, situated approximately 71 km from your destination. This is one of the most convenient ways to reach Amarnath from Delhi, as it takes less time compared to other modes of transportation.
- By Train: If you choose to travel from Delhi to Amarnath by train, it will take approximately 12 hours. The nearest railhead is Udhampur, located 146 km away from Srinagar Airport.
- By Car: Traveling by your own vehicle or hiring a cab is also a great option for reaching Amarnath from Delhi. This provides flexibility and comfort during your journey.
How to Reach Amarnath from Other Major Cities
Amarnath, a highly revered Hindu pilgrimage site, attracts millions of devotees from across the country, despite the considerable distance they must travel.
- The distance between Kolkata and Amarnath is approximately 1804 km, and most tourists prefer a taxi journey to reach their destination.
- Covering a distance of around 1714 km, the journey from Mumbai to Amarnath takes approximately 29 hours by road. Taxi travel is the preferred option for this route.
- Hyderabad, located approximately 1896 km away from Amarnath, requires about 32 hours of travel by road. Here are the most convenient ways to reach the holy shrine from some major cities in India.
