Pilgrims start preparations for Amarnath Yatra

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Sam

11 June, 2011

Keeping up with the 5,000 year-old trend Hindu pilgrims across India have started preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which will begin on June 29.

AS THE date for the Amarnath yatra nears, pilgrims have started packing their bags and making all other preparations for the trip. The yatra to the holy cave of Amarnath in Kashmir is scheduled to begin on June 29 until August 13. This 5,000 year-old trend is gaining popularity with every passing year, as more and more people embark on the holy journey. Even the militant attack of 2006 has not changed a thing.

Taking into account the increasing popularity of the yatra, it is now conducted for almost a month and a half. Also, in order to handle increasing number of registrations, the authorities have started an online registration service. The registrations are done on the basis of first-come-first-serve basis. Around 2 lakh registrations have been made already.

The holy Amarnath cave is located in the Himalyan range, at a distance of about 96 km from Srinagar. Inside the cave rests a natural ice lingam, which represents Lord Shiva. The ice lingam is formed every year during the Shravana Poornima and wanes away with time. There are two other ice formations, which represent Mata Parvati and Lord Ganesh.

The base camp for the pilgrims is set at Pahalgam, located around 46 km away from the cave. From Pahalgam they take the traditional four-day route with overnight stops at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni. Vehicles drop the pilgrims at Chandanwari, which is at a distance of 3 km from Pahalgam, from here on people either have to walk on foot or hire horses or palanquins. There is also a short-cut route to the holy cave, the Baltal route, which is just 14 km, but its topographic situation prevents people from taking this road. Besides, helicopter service is also available from Pahalgam to Panchtarni.

The yatra is organised annually by the state government in co-operation with Shree Amarnath Yatra trust. Government agencies take care of all necessary requirements such as water, horses, telecom facility, and shops, etc., during the journey. Besides, several voluntary organisations also assist in the yatra; they mainly take care of food arrangements for the pilgrims.

There are several stories related to the importance of the holy cave, the most popular being that this was the cave where Lord Shiva shared the secret of immortality with his wife Mata Parvati. The secret was overheard by two pigeons, who visit the cave on Shravana Poornima day, till date. According to another version of the story, the valley of Kashmir was under water during ancient times. Kashyap Rishi drained out all the water from the city and brought it to life.

Later when Bhrigu Rishi visited the city he discovered the cave and spread the news. A third story says that a Kashmiri shepherd named Buta Malik discovered the city when his sheep strayed to the cave while grazing. The Malik family still receives a share of the offerings made at the cave.