अमरनाथ
(Amarnath) हिन्दू
धर्म का एक प्रमुख तीर्थस्थल है। यह भारत के जम्मू और कश्मीर प्रदेश की राजधानी, श्रीनगर, के उत्तर-पूर्व में १३५ किमी दूर समुद्रतल से १३,६०० फुट की ऊँचाई पर स्थित है। इस गुफा की लंबाई (भीतर की ओर गहराई) १९ मीटर और चौड़ाई १६ मीटर है। गुफा ११ मीटर ऊँची है।
अमरनाथ
गुफा भगवान शिव के प्रमुख धार्मिक स्थलों में से एक है। अमरनाथ को तीर्थों का तीर्थ कहा जाता है क्यों कि यहीं पर भगवान शिव ने माँ पार्वती को अमरत्व का रहस्य बताया था।
यहाँ
की प्रमुख विशेषता पवित्र गुफा में बर्फ से प्राकृतिक शिवलिंग का निर्मित होना है। प्राकृतिक हिम से निर्मित होने के कारण इसे स्वयंभू हिमानी शिवलिंग भी कहते हैं। आषाढ़ पूर्णिमा से शुरू होकर रक्षाबंधन तक पूरे सावन महीने में होने वाले पवित्र हिमलिंग दर्शन के लिए लाखों लोग यहां आते हैं।
गुफा की परिधि लगभग डेढ़ सौ फुट है और इसमें ऊपर से बर्फ के पानी की बूँदें जगह-जगह टपकती रहती हैं। यहीं पर एक ऐसी जगह है, जिसमें टपकने वाली हिम बूँदों से लगभग दस फुट लंबा शिवलिंग बनता है। चन्द्रमा के घटने-बढ़ने के साथ-साथ इस बर्फ का आकार भी घटता-बढ़ता रहता है।
श्रावण
पूर्णिमा को यह अपने पूरे आकार में आ जाता है और अमावस्या तक धीरे-धीरे छोटा होता जाता है। आश्चर्य की बात यही है कि यह शिवलिंग ठोस बर्फ का बना होता है, जबकि गुफा में आमतौर पर कच्ची बर्फ ही होती है जो हाथ में लेते ही भुरभुरा जाए। मूल अमरनाथ शिवलिंग से कई फुट दूर गणेश, भैरव और पार्वती के वैसे ही अलग अलग हिमखंड हैं।
Route 1 à Traditional Route: Jammu - Pahalgam - Holy Cave
Jammu – Pahalgam: Jammu to Pahalgam (315 km) - The distance between Jammu to Pahalgam can be covered by taxi / buses which are available at Tourist Reception Centre, J & K Govt., Raghunath Bazaar only early in the morning. Another option is going to Srinagar by air and then proceeding to Pahalgam by road.
Pahalgam:
Situated 96 Kms from Srinagar, Pahalgam is known all over the world for its beauty. Lidder and Aru Rivers and high mountains kiss the valley.
Good Hotels are available for accommodation. Arrangements for free Langars (food kiosks) are also made by Non-Government Organisations at Nunwan Yatri Camp, 6 kms. short of Pahalgam. Pilgrims camp at Pahalgam for the first night.
Chandanwari:
The distance from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is 16 kms. Minibuses run from Pahalgam to reach Chandanwari. The trail runs along the Lidder River with a fabulous scenic view. There are many Langars that offer food to the Yatris.
Pissu Top:
As the Yatra proceeds further from Chandanwari one climbs a height to reach Pissu Top. It is said that to be the first to reach for darshan of Bhole Nath Shivshankar, there was a war between Devtas and Rakshas. With the power of Shiv, devtas could kill the rakshas in such large number that the heap of their dead bodies resulted in this high mountain.
Sheshnag:
Panchtarni:
From Sheshnag one must climb a steep height across Mahagunas Pass at 4276 mtrs. (14000 ft) for 4.6 Km and then descend to the meadow lands of Panjtarni at a height of 3657 mtrs (12000 ft). Due to cold harsh winds, it is strongly recommended that Yatris should carry their quota of Woolens and Vaseline! Some Yatris are also affected by deficiency of oxygen.
Some may get the feeling of nausea. Dry fruits, sour and sweet eatables like Lemon appear to control these symptoms but it is best to contact the nearest medical post immediately.
The route to Mahagunas is full of rivulets, waterfalls and springs. At Panjtarni, at the feet of BHAIRAV MOUNT, Five Rivers flow which apparently originated from Lord Shiva's Hair (Jataon). Pilgrims camp at Panjtarni on the 3rd night.
The Holy Cave Shri Amarnath:-
On the way to The Holy Cave, one comes across the Sangam of Amravati and Panjtarni rivers. Some pilgrims take bath at Amravati near the Holy Cave before going for Darshan.
There are two smaller Shivlings one of Maa Parvati and other of Shri Ganesh. It may be noted that after having early Darshan of the Shiv Linga at Holy Cave, one can return to Panjtarni well in time the same day.
Route 2 à Jammu - Baltal
The distance between Jammu and Baltal can be covered by Taxis / Buses available at Tourist Reception Centre, J & K / bus stand or one can come to Srinagar by air and then reach Baltal by road. The road route followed is:
JAMMU - Udhampur - Kud - Patnitop - Ramban - Banihal - KaziGund - Anantnag - Srinagar - Sonamarg – Baltal
The journey from Jammu to Baltal, which is about 400 kms, passes through beautiful valleys, waterfalls, and greenery all over gives you a new lease of life. A thrill, which is obviously there in every pilgrim, gets enhanced while passing through this way owing to the Darshan of Holy Cave.
Baltal To Holy Cave
Holy Cave is just 14 Kms from Baltal and the distance can be covered by foot / Ponies. However, Dandies are also available for handicapped and old aged pilgrims.
The width of the pebbled (kuchha) road is a bit narrow as compared to the Chandanwari-Holy Cave route, moreover, there are some steep rises & falls on the way, as compared to the Chandanwari route, but pilgrims can return to base camp Baltal through this route only in one day.
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How To reach Srinagar / Jammu :
By Air
Srinagar, the nearest aerodrome, has world famous sights to see, such as Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Shankaracharya Temple and Mughal gardens like Shalimar, Nishat and Cheshma-shahi. Known as Paradise on earth and being the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, the city is well connected by air and road.
There are daily flights to Srinagar from
Delhi and Jammu. On certain weekdays flights also pick up passengers from
Chandigarh and Leh.
Jammu and Srinagar are also
connected through road. Buses and Taxies are available for this part of the
journey. These can be hired on daily as well as on full tour basis.
Jammu is the nearest Railway Station. Jammu is the winter Capital of Jammu & Kashmir. Also known as CITY OF TEMPLES, one may visit old temples such as Raghunath Temple, Mahadev Mandir and other temples.
Railway station is very well connected and there are lots of express trains to various towns in India.
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