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Amarnath Yatra, Amarnath Temple, Amarnath Yatra Packages, Amarnath Travel Guide, Amarnath Pahalgam Tour, Amarnath Cave

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Main Shiv Sites - Amarnath - Introduction

Introduction

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Introduction: 
   
Lord Mrityunjay (Shiv) is considered to be the God of immortality. The renowned ice Shivling of Amarnath and the cave are a natural symbol of this form of Shiv.
    
The Amarnath cave is situated in the state of Jammu & Kashmir at a distance of 140 km from Srinagar and 42 km from Pahalgam. However, the distance from Srinagar to Pahalgam via Pampapur and Tral is only 72 km.
    
A huge, solid, ice Shivling is formed every year in this cave. At some distance from here, 2 other smaller ice Shivlings are also formed which are believed to be symbolic of Ganesh and Parvati.
    
Every year in the month of Shravan, a holy pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave is organised which is attended by millions of Shiv devotees. Traditionally, the pilgrimage is considered as begun with the Chhadi Mubarak Yatra on Vyas Poornima (Ashadh Poornima, July) and is led by the Mahant of the Dasnami Akhada in Srinagar.
    
The cave, situated in this natural Himalayan state, was visited by eminent personalities like Aadiguru Shankaracharya in the ninth century and by Swami Vivekanand and Swami Ramteerth in the 19th century.
   
The unique aspect about the Amarnath Cave pilgrimage is the fact that most of the affairs are managed by Muslims and a fourth of the income is also shared by the local Malik family.
   
In 2008 A.D., Amarnath was at the centre of a national debate when the Jammu-Kashmir Government decided to give 100 acres of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to set up facilities for the pilgrims. But the decision was reversed after protests from Muslim fundamentalist groups.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
According to Nilmat Puran and Amarnath Mahatmya, it was in this cave that Lord Shiv narrated the tale of immortality to Parvati, which could grant immortality to any living being who heard it.
    
 According to ancient descriptions, Lord Shiv required solitude to narrate the tale and hence on the way from Kailash Mountains, he left behind his vehicle, Nandi, in Pahalgam, the crescent moon in Chandanwadi, the snakes in Sheshnag, son Ganesh on Mahaganesh Mountains and Panch bhoot (5 elements) that make up any living being, in Panchtarani.
    
It is believed that the Sheshnag Lake is a form of Vishnu’s abode, Ksheer-sagar. Here, the Gods had prayed to Lord Vishnu for deliverance from demons.
   
According to another belief about Sheshnag Lake, a serpent called Sushraba destroyed the entire kingdom of King Nar and made this place, his home.
    
The belief about the sacred Chhadi (stick) is that it was given to Kashyap Rishi by Lord Shiv himself with an instruction to carry it to Amarnath every year. The fact worth noting is that it is none other than Kashyap who is given the credit for settling the Kashmir region.
   
Bhrigu Rishi, the Manasputra (son, born of a wish) of Brahma is said to be responsible for the discovery of the Amarnath Cave and the Shivling.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
The history of Amarnath Cave and its Yatra is believed to be 5000 years old. It has been referred to as Amareshwar in ancient sources.
   
The oldest written documentation about this place is found in the sixth century composition, Nilmat Puran. Besides, a detailed description is found in Bhrigu Sanhita also.
   
Kalhan, considered as the father of Indian history, has mentioned about the Kashmir kings visiting and worshipping Amarnath. According to him, Suryamati, wife of King Anant (11th century), donated land and a village for a shrine.
   
According to Jona Raja’s Rajtarangini, a 15th century composition, Zain-ul-Abedin considered as the Akbar of Kashmir also visited this place.
   
The 17th century compositions - Rajavalipataka (Pragya Bhatt and Shuka), Asaf Vilas (Asif Khan) - and Shahjahan’s court poet, Pandit Jagannath also mention about the Amarnath Yatra.
   
V. A. Smith, on the basis of Bernier’s book, writes about the Amarnath Yatra being organised even in those days.
   
In the middle ages, the Chhadi Mubarak began from Amritsar. After 1819 A.D., it started from Srinagar.
   
In August 2000, Amarnath Yatra was a topic of international discussions when Muslim terrorists killed 30 pilgrims in Pahalgam.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Srinagar:
 
It is the capital of Jammu-Kashmir, the paradise on Earth. It is also known as the city of lakes. Dal Lake, Mughal Garden, and Shankaracharya Temple are other important tourism spots.
    
Martand Surya Mandir (31 km from Pahalgam):
 
This temple was built by the noted ruler of Kashmir, Lalitaditya in the eighth century. It is situated in Mattan in the Anantnag district and is an important stop for the Chhadi Mubarak Yatra.
    
Pahalgam:
 
It has been referred to as Bailgaon in ancient scriptures. Situated amidst huge mountains, on the banks of the Lidder River, it is from Pahalgam that the traditional yatra (pilgrimage) to Amarnath begins on foot. It is at 100 km from Srinagar.
    
Chandanwadi:
 
It is believed that Lord Shiv left the crescent Moon at this place en route to Amarnath. The 16 km distance from Pahalgam can be covered on foot or by small vehicles.
    
Sheshnag:
 
Enriched with the magnificence and grandeur of nature, it has a number of local legends that are popular in the region. A mountain with 7 peaks and a picturesque lake are the key attractions here. This place is at 30 km from Pahalgam.
   
Pavitra Gufa (Holy Cave):
 
The sacred Shivling is installed in this cave, situated at 42 km from Pahalgam. The Shivling situated in this 60x30x15 feet cave keeps increasing or decreasing in size depending on the lunar activity. Here, the pilgrims go through a divine experience of an interaction with the Lord. Next to the Shivling is a small cave from where white mud is released. It is considered as the bhabhoot of Lord Shiv.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Chhadi Mubarak:
 
Every year in the month of Shravan, this sacred stick is worshipped in various local temples, after which it is ceremoniously taken to the Amarnath Cave. During the rest of the year, the stick stays with Mahant of Dasnami Akhada of Srinagar.
    
Shravan Poornima (Raksha Bandhan):
 
According to beliefs from Puranas, it was on this day that Lord Shiv made an appearance. The worship of Amarnath Shivling on the day of Poornima is believed to give salvation.
    
Vyas Poornima (July):
 
This day marks the formal beginning of the Amarnath Yatra with the installation of the Chhadi (stick) and hoisting of the flag.
   
Nagpanchmi:
 
It is celebrated on the Shukla Panchmi of Shravan month. The Chhadi Mubarak Yatra leaves Srinagar for Amarnath on this day.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
    
Hotels:
 
 Category  General
 Name  Grand Mumtaz Resort
 Address  Near View Point, Pahalgam, Dist. Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir
 Telephone  +91 - 1936 - 243 184
   
 
 Category  General
 Name  Brown Palace
 Address  Lari Pora, Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir - 192 126
 Telephone  +91 - 94180 07867
 Web Site  www.brownpalace.in
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Mount View Hotel
 Address  Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir
 Telephone  +91 - 1936 - 243 321
 Web Site  www.mountviewpahalgam.com
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Woodstock Hotel
 Address  Pahalgam, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir - 192 126
 Telephone  +91 - 1936 - 243 259
 Web Site  www.hotelwoodstockpahalgam.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Hotel Heevan
 Address  Pahalgam, Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir - 192 126
 Telephone  +91 - 194 - 2500299
 Web Site  www.ahadhotelsandresorts.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Pahalgam Hotel
 Address  Pahalgam, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir - 192 126
 Telephone  +91 - 1936 - 243 252
 Web Site  www.pahalgamhotel.com
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  3888 metres  62 cm
 34˚ N  75.5˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum   5  6  12  19  24  29  31  30  28  23  17  9
 Minimum  -4  0  2  7  10  13  18  18  11  6  1  -2
    
 
Important Information
Pilgrims must get themselves registered with the Jammu-Kashmir Tourism Department for the visit to Amarnath. This facility is available at Srinagar as well as the regional centres at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jammu etc.
To avoid the uncertainties of weather, pilgrims are advised to keep rain-wear, a small umbrella, warm clothing, and a first-aid kit with them.
Non-vegetarian food, smoking, and alcohol are strictly prohibited during the journey.
Follow the prescribed rules strictly, during the journey. Hire registered coolies and mules only.
If possible, tourists should get an accident insurance cover for themselves.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 01936
 Police Assistance
  Srinagar (Kashmir) Tel: +91 - 194 - 2443012
 Ambulance/Hospital    S. M. H. S. Hospital, Srinagar,
 Tel: +91- 194 - 2452013
 Children Hospital, Srinagar,
 Tel: +91 - 194 - 451 317
 Currency  Exchange
 Canara Bank
 Residency Road, Srinagar,
 Jammu-Kashmir - 190 001
 Tel: +91 - 194 - 2455343
 State Bank of India
 Badshah Chowk, Lal Chowk, Srinagar,
 Jammu-Kashmir - 190 001
 Tel: +91 - 0194 - 2477339
 State Bank of India
 Near Gurudwara, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar
 Jammu-Kashmir – 190 008
 Tel: +91 - 0191 - 2310606
 ATM Centre  Union Bank of India
 Court Road, Lal Chowk, Srinagar,
 Jammu-Kashmir - 190 001
 Post Office
 Pampapur, Tel: +91 - 1933 - 222 225
 Tourist Office
  Jammu-Kashmir Government
 Mubarak Mandi, Old Secretariat, Church Line,
 Opp. Ansari Motors, Srinagar
 Tel: +91 - 914 - 2452294
   
 
Food
Various base camps during the journey have arrangements for Langar (meals). Besides, tourists are advised to keep dry fruits, biscuits, and water with them.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconamarnath.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Srinagar
Jammu
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Jammu Tawi  JAT
 Pathankot  PTK
 Amritsar  ASR
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Amarnath  Srinagar  115 km
 Jammu  252 km
 Amritsar  427 km
 Pahalgam  42 km
 Vaishnodevi

 

  Jammu  50 km
 Srinagar  162 km
 Katra  12 km
 Amritasr  269 km
 Ranvireshwar  Srinagar  188 km
 Manali  320 km
 Amritsar  229 km
 Pathankot  100 km

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