About Amarnath Yatra

One of the holy trinity, Shiva is a living God. The most sacred and most ancient book of India, the Rig-Veda evokes his presence in its hymns. Vedic myths, ritual and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time. But Shiva, the destroyer, the mendicant, is un-definable. He is the great yogi, the guardian of the absolute. His actions are the temes of the myths in which his nature unfolds.

Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unkown to them, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the devespair when they tred the ardous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingum (the Phallic symbol of Shiva).

The trek to Amarnath, in the month of Shravan (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-stalamite, and which waxes and wanes with the Moon. By its side are, fascinatingly, two more ice-lingams, that of Parvati, and of their son, Ganesha.

According to an ancient tale, there was once Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik who was given a sack of coal by a Sadhu. Upon reaching home he discovered that the sack, in fact, contained gold. Overjoyed and overcome. Buta Malik rushed back to look for the sadhu and thank him, but on the spot of their meeting discovered a cave, and eventually this became a place of pilgrimage for all believers. To date, a percentage of the donations made by pilgrims are given to the descendants of Malik, and the remaining to the trust which manages the shrine.

Yet another legend has it that when Kashyap Reshi drained the Kashmir Valley of water (it was belied to have been a vast lake), the cave and the lingam were discovered by Bregish Reshi who was travelling the Himalayas. When people heard of the lingam, Amarnath for them became Shiva's abode and a centre of pilgrimage.

Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley, Amarnath stands at 3,888 m. and is 46 Km. From Pahalgam and 141 Km. from Srinagar. Though the original pilgrimages subscribes that the yatra be undertaken from Srinagar, the more common practice is to begin journey at Chandanwari, and cover the distance to Amarnath and back in five days. Pahalgam is 96 Km. Srinagar.

The trek from Chandanwari to Amarnath Cave is only on an ancient peregnne route. The 30 Km. distance is covered in two days, with night halts at Sheshnagh (Wawjan) and Panchtarni. The distance from Pahalgam to Chandanwari (16 Km.) now be covered by vehicular transport, and the tail runs along the Lidder river. Pilgrims camp at Pahalgam or Chandanwari on the first night out.

The first day's trek of 12 Km. from Chandanwari is through spectacular, a mountain which derives its name from its seven peaks, resembling the heads of a mythical snake. The journey to Shesnag follows steep inlines up the right bank of a cascading stream and wild scenary untouched by civilisation. The second night's camp at Wawjan overlooks the deep blue waters of Sheshnag lake, and glaciers beyond it. There are legends of love and revenge too associated with Sheshnag and at the camp these are recounted by campfires, to the stillness of pine-scented, Himalayan night.

The second day's 12 Km. trek steadly gains height, wining up across Mahagunas Pass at 4,600m and then descending to the meadow-lands of Panchtarni, the last camp enroute to the Holy Cave.

From Panchtari to Amarnath is only 6 Km. but an early morning's start is recommended for there is a long queue awaiting entry to the cave. The same day, following darshan, devotees entry to the cave. The same day, following darshan, devotees and return to Panchtarni in time for lunch, and continue to Sheshnag to spend the third night out. They can also spend the night at Panchtarni itself returning to Chandanwari/Pahalgam like the onward journey. Entrance to the cave is regulated and darshan a hasty affair for there are many others waiting outside to pay humage before the awesome Shivalinga. The devotees sing bhajans, chant incatations, and priests perform arti and puja, invoking the blessings of Shiva, the divine, the pure, the absolute. For those who journey with faith, it is a rewarding experience, this simple visitation to a cave-shrine, the home of the Himalayan mendicant who is both destroyer and healer, the greatest of the Hindus gods.

Climate

The climatic conditions are very uncertain . Rain or snowfall may take place at any time or place during the Yatra . It is to be particularly noted that abrupt changes in temperature might occur . Sunny weather may turn into rain / snow fall in a short time . The temperature may fall upto -5 degree C.

Transportation

• Air: The nearest Airport is away in Badgam Distt. This Airport is connected with major cities of India.
• Rail: The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which is 300 Kms away and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with country.
• Road: Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply on the NH1A Highway. It takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountaineous road which crosses some beautiful spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel linking Kashmir Valley with country.