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Amarnath, the holy place of the Hindus and the dwelling of Lord Shiva is positioned 145 km from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu & Kashmir. To be found at the height of nearly3888 m higher than sea level.

As per the myths, Shiva was requested by Parvati to enlighten her with the undisclosed reason of immortality. He was reluctant for a long while, but due to her frequent persistence he agreed to expose the secret to her. They moved to a remote site in the Himalayas, where no one could eavesdrop there. He freed the moon from his hair at Chandanwari. At Sheshnag peak, he left his snakes and Ganesh was left last in front at Mahagunas Hill. At Panchtarni, Shiva parted with his five fundamentals  that is Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky and along with  Parvati cross the threshold of the cave. Here he sat for meditation on his deer hide and fur. To make certain that no living thing listened to the secret he formed a fire to devastate all life around him and then started to reveal the secret of immortality to Parvati. Nevertheless a pigeon’s eggs concealed underneath Shiva’s deerskin stayed unharmed by the fire. A pair of pigeons, who listened to the secret of immortality, took birth from this egg and till today pilgrims who stopover at the holy cave can view a pair of pigeons residing here. Since the secret of immortality (Amar Katha) was exposed inside this cave, it came to be recognized as Amarnath.
 
The cave of Amarnath
Approximately about 45 m high and nearly90 feet long, The Amarnath cave  faces south. Within the cave, there are nearly four to five ice configurations similar to images of different gods. As per the tradition, the chief one is worshipped as Amarnath or Shiva, one on the left side of the lingam is an ice structure worshipped as Ganesha, and on the right side is an ice shape worshipped as Parvati. Surrounded by the Amarnath cave is an additional tiny cave to the left of the figure, from which a chalk-like material is handed out to devotees as Vibhuti or sacred ash.

How to reach
 The destination Amarnath is not directly connected by road or rail. The nearby airport is at Srinagar which is just 145 km, which is linked to Delhi and various Indian cities. Jammu is nearly300 km is the frequent starting point for the Amarnath Yatra and is linked by road, rail and air to all most important Indian cities. Getting to Amarnath is not a trouble-free hike owing to the tricky climatic conditions and the vertical climb up all along the Himalayas. Porters, horses and Dandies (Chairs carried by porters) are obtainable all through the route.

Author is an associate editor for Amarnath Yatra. Get all possible information about Amarnath Yatra 2009. and Amarnath Yatra Registration. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages in India and Flights Booking in India.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/significance-of-amarnath-yatra-1578522.html

The cave Amarnath is given name after Mount Amarnath, where it is positioned almost at the height of 4,000m. Due to its height, the cave is enclosed with snow for nearly all round the year. Barely for a little period in summer, is the entrance reachable. The cave is an ice cave and includes a certain amount of ice stalagmites. It was explored by Bregish Reshi.

The cave is a sacred destination for Hindu devotees due its ice content. One very feature is a pillar of ice is supposed to be an ice lingham, the emblem of Lord Shiva. Two smaller ice stalagmites symbolize Parvati, his spouse, and Ganesha, his child. The Hindu pilgrims also consider that the stature of the lingham augments and diminishes with the increasing and decreasing of the moon.
 
A fable tells, that Shiva give details of the top secret of creation to Parvati in the cave. During that time two companion doves overheard this and at the moment lives in the cave for infinity, taking birth again and again. This fable is long-established especially for the people who have faith as they see group of doves close to the cave, with no plants around. Another tale tells that Kashyap Reshi exhausted a big lake, which became then the Kashmir valley of  present.
Each year in July and August when the cave is reachable for a time of two months, numerous Hindus go on a pilgrimage up to the cave. In 2008 there were around 544,000. The maximum crowd is in the month of Shravan, on the full moon in August, that is the time when the lingam is said to attain its largest size. The pilgrimage is over with the coming of Lord Shiva’s mace, known as Charri Mubarak. A conventional puja is done within the cave officially putting the yearly pilgrimage to an end.

The devotees are a threat to the cave and the ice, as thousands of people and their candles raise the heat and alter the temperature of the little cave. The warmness causes the lingam to dissolve. Reports of unnaturally improved lingams by adding cold water frequently cause arguments and are stated in Indian news. The pilgrimage is a grand occasion to make wealth by offering food, beverages, garments, and any other miscellanous goods. This goods industry is dominated by a few groups which repeatedly starts fighting about it.
But the most weird fact of this renowned pilgrimage destination is the mammoth death toll it causes each year, e.g. nearly 45 in 2008. The large height and the extreme minimum temperature along with the starving state of numerous people  are liable for dozens of deceased  pilgrims each year.

Author is an associate editor for Amarnath Yatra. Get all possible information about Amarnath Yatra 2009. and Amarnath Yatra Registration. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages in India and Flights Booking in India.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-holy-cave-of-amarnath-1578530.html