Amarnath Cave Temple situated at an altitude of 3888 m (12,756 ft), is a Hindu shrine located in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is about 168 km from the district headquarters Anantnag City and 148 km from the summer capital Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar. The shrine can be reached either through Sonamarg or Pahalgam and it is surrounded by snowy mountains and glaciers with snow most of the year except during the short period in the summer when it is open to pilgrims.
Legends & Significance
Amarnath Cave is believed to be founded by a shepherd Buta Malik. The cave is more than 5000 years old. As per the story, Buta met a saint who gave him a full bag of coal. Buta when reached home, he opened the bag and found that it was full of gold. Buta then returned to find the saint, and then he found the Amarnath Cave the manifestation of Shiva Lingam. Amarnath Cave is also known as Barfani Baba.
According to legends, when Mata Parvati insisted on Lord Shiva to tell her his secret of immorality, Lord Shiva then proceeded towards that cave so that no one could hear the secret behind his immorality. While going to the cave Lord Shiva left Nandi his vahana in Pahalgam and proceeded towards the cave on foot from here and that’s how the place got its name. He then left the moon at Chanderwari which is 16 kilometers away from Pahalgam.
The lord then dropped the snake from his neck at Sheshnag and at Mahagunas Mountain Lord Shiva left his son Ganesha. After that at Panchtarni, he left all the five elements. After reaching the cave, Lord Shiva called upon fire to kill all things nearby the cave, but two pigeon eggs beneath his seat were saved and in the process of recounting the immortal story, the eggs hatched and the pair of pigeons overheard and thus attained immortality. Therefore, every year devotees go to the cave in their quest for moksha.
How to Reach ?
From Baltal -
Baltal Domail Barari Holy Cave
From Pahalgam -
Pahalgam Chandanwari Pissu Top Sheshnag Panchtarni Holy Cave
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