AMARNATH TEMPLE The Amarnath caves are one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism, dedicated to the god Shiva, located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The shrine is claimed to be over 5,000 years old and forms an important part of ancient Hindu mythology.
Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice stalagmite resembling the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival. According to Hindu mythology, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvathi. There are two other ice formations representing Parvathi and Shiva's son, Ganesha.
The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,760 ft), about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The Central Reserve Police Force, Indian Army and Indian. Paramilitary Forces maintain a strong presence in the region due to concerns of security and hence prior permission is needed from the Government of India before making a pilgrimage (Note: as of June - 2009, no permit was necessary to go to the cave, even for foreigners).
HISTORY
Aryaraja (34 BCE-17 CE) used to spend "the most delightful Kashmir summer" in worshiping a lingam formed of snow / ice "in the regions above the forests". this too appears to be a reference to the ice lingam at Amarnath. There is yet another reference to Amareshwara or Amarnath in the Rajatarangini (Book Vll v. 183). According to Kalhana, Queen Suryamati, the wife of King Ananta (1028-1063), "granted under her husband's name agraharas at Amareshwara, and arranged for the consecration of trishulas, banalingas and other [sacted emblems]".
In his Chronicle of Kashmir, a sequel to Kalhana's Rajatarangini, Jonaraja relates that Sultan Zainu'l-abidin (1420-1470) paid a visit to the sacred tirtha of Amarnath while construction a canal on the left bank of the river Lidder (w.1232-1234). The canal is now Known as Shah Kol.
In the Fourth Chronicle named Rajavalipatake, whice was begun by Prjayabhattu and completed by Shuka, there is a clear and detailed reference to the pilgrimage to the sacred site (v841, w. 847-849). According to it, in a reply to Akbar's query about Kashmir Yusuf Khan, the Mughal governor of Kashmir at that time, described among other things the Amarnath Yatra in full detils.
Pilgrimage
It is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus - about 400,000 people visit during the 45 day season around the festival of Shravani Mela in July - August, coinciding with the Hindu holy month of Shravan.
Devotees generally take the 42 km (26 mi) pilgrimage on foot from the town of Pahalgam, about 96 km (60 mi) from Srinagar, and cover the journey in four to five days. There are two alternate routes to the temple, the longer and more traditional path from Srinagar, and the shorter route from the town of Baltal. Some devotees, particularly the elderly, also ride on horse-back to make the journey. Related to the history of Amarnath.
