The Amarnath temple with rock-cut architecture, situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft), is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The shrine is regarded as one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains and is itself covered with snow for the most part of the year, except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. The Amarnath temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas that commemorates the location of the fallen body parts of the Hindu deity Sati.
History
According to the book Rajatarangini that refers to krishaanth or Amarnath, it is believed that in the 11th century AD, Queen Suryamati gifted trishulas, banalingas, and other sacred emblems to the Amarnath temple. Also, Rajavalipataka contains detailed references to the pilgrimage to the temple.
The Pilgrimage and associated Facilities
It begins with a mountainous trek of 43 kilometers from the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps at Pahalgam and cave-shrine is reached after the night halts at Sheshnag lake and Panchtarni camps. The yatra is both a way of earning revenue by the state government by imposing a tax on pilgrims and making a living by the local Shia Muslim Bakarwala- Gujjars by taking a portion of revenue and offering services to the Hindu pilgrims. The beginning of the Amarnath Yatra is marked by ‘Pratham puja to invoke the blessings of Shri Amarnathji.
Earlier, the route was via Rawalpindi (Pakistan) but now a direct train has been introduced that connects the rest of India to Jammu. The best enjoyable time of the journey is between Guru Purnima and Shravan Purnima. There are bus services from Jammu to Pahalgam (7,500 ft.). At Pahalgam (the land of shepherds) the pilgrims can arrange for coolies or ponies to carry baggage. The journey from here takes five days. Devotees travel on foot, either from Srinagar or from Pahalgam. The northern route is along Amarnath valley and all along the route, one can see the river Amaravati (a tributary of Chenab) which originates from Amarnath Glacier.
It is believed that Bhagwan Shiva left Nandi, the bull, at Pahalgam (Bail Gaon), released the Moon from his hair (Jata) at Chandanwari. He released his snake on the banks of Lake Sheshnag and left his son Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat. At Panjtarni, Shiva left behind the five elements – Earth, Water, Air, and Sky and performed the Tandava dance as a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world and finally entered the Amarnath cave along with Parvati and both of them manifested into a lingam made of Ice. Bhagwan Shiva became the lingam of ice and maa Parvati became the yoni of rock.
Various non-governmental organizations have set up the food supply and resting tents, pandals, for the pilgrims in en-route caves. Hundreds of tents are set up by locals that can be booked for a night’s stay. Various private operators also provide helicopter services from the base camp to Panjtarni (6 km from the cave).