Amarnath Temple

Amarnath Cave
Amarnath Cave Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Name
Proper name	Amarnath Cave Temple
Geography
Coordinates	34°12′54″N 75°30′03″E / 34.2149°N 75.5008°E / 34.2149; 75.5008Coordinates: 34°12′54″N 75°30′03″E / 34.2149°N 75.5008°E / 34.2149; 75.5008
Country	India
State	Jammu and Kashmir
Location	Pahalgam, Anantnag
Culture
Primary deity	Shiva
History and governance
Creator	Natural formation
Website	www.shriamarnathjishrine.com

Amarnath cave (Hindi: अमरनाथ गुफा) is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is dedicated to Shiva. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft),^[1] about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and reached through Pahalgam town. The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism,^[2] and is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism.^[3] The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. The cave itself is covered with snow most of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Thousands of Hindu devotees make an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave on challenging mountainous terrain to see an ice stalagmite formed inside the cave.

The Linga

Inside the 40 m (130 ft) high Amarnath cave, the stalagmite is formed due to freezing of water drops that fall from the roof of the cave on to the floor and grows up vertically from the cave floor.^[4] It is considered to be a Shiva Linga by Hindus. The Cave waxes during May to August, as snow melts in the Himalayas above the cave and the resultant water seeps into the rocks that form the cave and gradually wanes thereafter.^[1] As per the religious beliefs, it has been claimed that the lingam grows and shrinks with the phases of the moon reaching its height during the summer festival, although there is no scientific evidence for this belief.^[5]

According to a Hindu legend, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort, Parvati.^[6][7] Two other ice formations represent Parvati and Shiva's son, Ganesha.

The main purpose of the annual pilgrimage to the cave is worship of the ice stalagmite Lingam.

History

The Amarnath cave has been a place of worship since times immemorial. There are references to the legendary king Aryaraja (ascribed dates 300 BCE)^[8] who used to worship a lingam formed of ice in Kashmir. The book Rajatarangini (Book VII v.183) refers to Amareshwara or Amarnath. It is believed that Queen Suryamathi in the 11th century AD gifted trishuls, banalingas and other sacred emblems to this temple.^[9] Rajavalipataka, begun by Prjayabhatta has detailed references to the pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave. Other than this, there are further references to this pilgrimage in many other ancient texts.

Discovery of Holy Cave

It is believed that after the Middle Ages, this cave was forgotten by people before it was discovered by a shepherd in the 15th century once again.^[9]

Another story relates to Bhrigu Muni. Long time ago it is believed that The Vale of Kashmir was submerged under water and Kashyapa Muni drained it through a series of rivers and rivulets. Therefore when the waters drained, Bhrigu Muni was the first to have Darshan of Lord Amarnath. Thereafter, when people heard of the Lingam, it became an abode of Lord Bholenath for all believers and a pilgrimage which is done by lakhs of people each year.^[9]

Yatra

The temple is a popular yatra destination for Hindus. In 2011 it received about 634,000 persons, the highest recorded number for the site.^[10] The number was 622,000 in 2012 and 350,000 in 2013. Pilgrims visit the holy site during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani Mela in July–August, coinciding with the Hindu holy month of Shraavana.

The beginning of the annual pilgrimage, called Amarnath Yatra^[11] is marked by 'pratham pujan' to invoke the blessings of Shri Amarnathji.^[12]

In 2015, the Yatra would commence on July 2 and end after 59 days on August 29.^[13]

Route

Devotees travel on foot, either from Srinagar or from Pahalgam.^[3] The latter journey takes approximately 5 days.^[3]

The State Road Transport Corporation and Private Transport Operators provide the regular services from Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal. Also privately hired taxis are available from Jammu & kashmir.

The shorter northern route is just about 16 km long, but has a very steep gradient and is quite difficult to climb. It starts from Baltal and passes through Domial, Barari, and Sangam to reach the cave. The northern route is along the Amarnath valley and all along the route one can see the river Amaravathy (It is more like a tributary of Chenab) which originates from Amarnath Glacier.

It is believed that Lord Shiva left Nandi, The Bull, at Pahalgam (Bail Gaon). At Chandanwari, he released the Moon from his hair (Jataon). On the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he released his snakes. At Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Mountain), he left his son Lord Ganesha. At Panjtarni, Lord Shiva left behind the five elements - Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky. As a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Dance. Then, finally, Lord Shiva entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati.^[14]

Facilities

En route the cave, various non-profit organizations set up food supply and resting tents called pandals which are available for free to the pilgrims. Near the shrine, hundreds of tents which are erected by locals can be hired for a night's stay. Helicopter services from base camp to Panjtarni (6 km from the cave) are also available from various private operators.^[15]

Security

Every year, thousands of central police and state police personnel are deployed to provide security to pilgrims from potential terror threats. The forces position at various halts and also in the perimeter of the shrine.^[16]

Deaths

Of the 622,000 yatra pilgrims in 2012, 130 died during the yatra. The major cause was attributed to persons who were not physically fit for the arduous climb, high elevations, and adverse weather undertook the yatra. Some also died in road accidents before reaching the base camp from where the yatra starts. Of the 130 deaths, 88 were due to purported health reasons and 42 in road accidents. The 2012 pilgrimage ended on Shravana Purnima (Raksha Bandan) Day, 2 August 2012.^[17]

Organisers

Officially, the Yatra is organised by the State Government in collaboration with the Shree Amarnath Yatra trust. The Government agencies provide necessary facilities all along the route during the Yatra period, which includes provision of ponies, supply of power, telecommunication facilities, firewood and setting up of fair price shops.^[15]

1990s problems

The pilgrimage was banned from 1991 to 1995 due to threats from militants. In 1996 the militants had assured that they would not interfere allowing a resumed yatra with far greater numbers than in previous years. However, unseasonal blizzards in late August of that year led to a tragedy that claimed the lives of 242 yatris, killed by exhaustion and exposure.^[18][19]

2000 massacre

Four years later, the pilgrimage suffered another setback with the massacre in Pahalgam of 30 people by Kashmiri separatist militants.^[20] Most were yatris on their way to Amarnath^[21] or porters and horsemen who would have ferried the pilgrims to the site.^[22] Then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee blamed Lashkar-e-Taiba for the killings.^[23]

Controversies

2008 Land transfer controversy

On 26 May 2008, the Government of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir reached an agreement to transfer 100 acres (0.40 km²) of forest land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB)^[24] to set up temporary shelters and facilities for Hindu pilgrims. Kashmiri separatists opposed the move citing reasons that it will jeopardize the article 370 that gives separate identity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and prevents any Indian citizen to settle in Kashmir. People in Kashmir staged widespread protests against this decision by government of India.^[25] Due to the protests, the J&K State government relented and reversed the decision to transfer land. As a result, Hindus in the Jammu region launched counter-agitations against this roll back.^[26]

Environmental destruction

Environmentalists have expressed concern that the number of people participating in the Amarnath Yatra is having a negative impact on the area's ecology and some have expressed support for government regulated limits on the number of pilgrims permitted to make the trek.^[27]

Amarnath yatra tax controversy

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir had in 2010 issued a notification under the State Motor Vehicle Taxation Act 1957, under which vehicles going to Amarnath Yatra will have to pay a tax of Rs 2,000 for seven days and Rs 2,000 per day after that.Similar provisions were made for pilgrims going to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi under which they need to pay Rs 2000 for a period of three days.India's central political party the Bhartiya Janata Party expressed its ire over imposition of entry fee and accused the then UPA led central government to direct the Jammu and Kashmir dispensation to desist from making attempts to "discriminate" between followers of various religions.BJP criticized the decision "as a reminiscent of Jaziya imposed during Mughal period on Hindus," In response to the question in Lok Sabha( Lower house of the Indian Parliament) then Minister of State for Finance, Shri S.S. Palanimanickam clarified that tax is levied on all All India Tourist Vehicles entering the state and is therefore not correct to say that Government of Jammu & Kashmir is levying any additional tax on vehicles going to Amarnath and Vaishno Devi.He also said that Taxation of Motor vehicles falls under the purview of State Governments as per the seventh schedule of Constitution of India and Central Government cannot direct the State Government to change the tax rate on vehicles. ^[28][29]

Popular culture

Famous Santoor artist Rahul Sharma named a track after Amarnath temple as "Shiva Linga: The Amarnath Cave"^[30]

Gallery

• 

  Pilgrims riding ponies on the way to Amarnath Cave

• 

  On way to Amarnath Cave

• 

  Pandals in service to the pilgrims

• 

  Helicopter service up to panjtarni on route to Amarnath Cave

• 

  Tents are available to hire for a small fee near base of imposing Amarnath Cave as visible in background

• 

  Glacier over Lidder River in Chandanwari on the way to Amarnath Temple

See also

• 1996 Amarnath Yatra tragedy
• 2000 Amarnath pilgrimage massacre
• Amarnath land transfer controversy
• List of caves in India
• List of rock cut temples in India

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Amarnath.

• Official website
• Amarnath: Journey to the shrine of a Hindu god, Boston Globe photographs, 13 July 2012

Major Hindu Temples in Jammu and Kashmir Amarnath Temple Hari Parbat Kalika Temple Kheer Bhawani Khrew Raghunath Temple Shankaracharya Temple Shankaragaurishvara Temple Shivkhori Vaishno Devi

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