Explained: Amarnath Yatra, the legend and the pilgrimage

What is the News?

After being suspended for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Amarnath Yatra in the Himalayas of South Kashmir will begin on June 30 this year.

What is Amarnath Yatra?

Amarnath Yatra is an annual pilgrimage visit to the Amarnath cave shrine of Lord Shiva high up in the Himalayas.

Importance of Cave: According to legend, when Lord Shiva decided to tell Parvati the secret of his immortality (Amar Katha), he chose the Amarnath cave deep in the Himalayas in South Kashmir. 

Location: The cave is located at an altitude of 3,888 meters above sea level and is only accessible by foot or on a pony through a steep path in Sonmarg in Kashmir.

Who discovered the cave? According to lore, the cave was discovered by a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik in 1850. He also discovered the famous ice lingam at the cave.

How does Ice lingam form in the cave? The ice lingam, representing Lord Shiva is formed by a trickle of water from a cleft in the roof of the cave. The water freezes as it drips, forming over time, a tall, smooth ice stalagmite. The Shiva lingam gets its full shape in May every year after which it begins to melt. By August, it is just a few feet in height.

On the left of the Shiva lingam are two smaller ice stalagmites, representing Parvati and Lord Ganesh.

Security threats: The geographic location of the cave being in South Kashmir makes it vulnerable to terror attacks from the Pakistan side.

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: Amarnath Yatra, the legend and the pilgrimage” published in Indian Express on 30th June 2022