Amarnath Yatra: Quest for Peace & Harmony
Dr V.K Magotra
The unflinching faith of devotees towards Shri Amarnath Shrine for bestowing peace & harmony to the Universe has once again embarked upon as part of the annual feature of Kashmir Valley. Unfazed with the tragedy of Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocent people were killed by terrorists in April,2025,the pilgrims with undeterred spirits are -all set to undertake Shri Amarnath Yatra for purifying the mind, mutual love& brotherhood. Enchanting, Bum BumBhole, Har Har Mahadev, pilgrims in theircolourful dresses, saints, including genders have started pouring in large nos. in Jammu-the city of temples for their onward journey to Baba Burfani nowadays.
The pilgrimageof Shri Amarnath Shrine commenced from 3rd of July 2025, is indeed an amazing, adventurous and arduous endeavour of J&K Union Territory.The enchanting Amarnath cave is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites of Hindus.Situated at a height of 12756 feet above sea level in Lidder valley, Amarnath cave is considered one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva. Notwithstanding the constraints 4 to 5lakhs pilgrims are expected to throng at the site of Amaranth cave to have a glimpse of snow formed, “SHIVLING” a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva this season. The formation of Shivling from melting of icefrom the roof of the cave to the floor is perhaps unprecedented in whole of universe where people all across the world turn up to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. This year the pilgrimage would be of 38days duration starting from the auspicious occasion of SKANDA- SASHI and will conclude on 9th August 2025 coinciding with Shravan Purnima &Raksha Bandhan.
The entire Kashmir Valley is dotted with ancient shrines mosques temples, stupas. Every shrine has its own prominence and sanctity which is carved out with a legendary tale behind and is held in high esteem by all communities irrespective of caste, color and creed even today. Kashmir which was known as paradise on earth is limbing back to normalcy with turn up lakhs of tourists at present with the blessings of Lord shiva & all is set by JK UT Govt for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage by placing men and machinery at work on war footing.
The pilgrimage of Amarnath Cave would be incomplete without knowing the history of Kashmir which reveals beautiful cradle of ancient culture. The ancient India has nothing more worthy as its early civilization than that of the grand ruins of Kashmir”. The remnants of hundreds of temples, stupas and viharas and numerous schools of thoughts would show how in ancient times it has been a nursery of two great religions of India- Hinduism and Buddhismand how these religions met and mingled in the mind – scape of the people. Kashmir’s own creative contribution to the Hindu thought, particularly to the evolution of the monistic philosophy of Saivism, known as ‘TRIKA – SASTRA’, has been truly historic.And when Islam made its appearance in the middle of the 14th Century , it acquired its own distinct hue in the valley.
There are good geological and mythological reasons to believe that the Kashmir valley was once a vast span of water , similar to a huge dam , walled by high mountains. There were some habitations on the higher ranges which were not under water. Over the years, as a result of violent geological upheavals such as earthquakesthe mountains walls were breached at a few points and water gushed out forming valley in its present shape.
According to Kalhana a Kashmiri Pandit who wrote ‘ Raja Tarangini” , the river of kings in 1149 A.D , the history of various dynasties which ruled Kashmir from earliest period described monumental work in Sanskrit literature. Such is Kashmir , the country which may be conquered by the force of spiritual merit but not by armed forces – where there are hot baths in winter, comfortably landing places on the rivers, banks,where rivers being free from aquatic animals are without peril.
Amarnath ji considered to be one of the major Hindu Dhams of Kashmir valley. The holy cave is the abode of Lord Shiva. The guardian of the absolute , Lord Shiva – the destroyer is enshrined in the form of Ice- Lingam in the cave. This lingam is formed naturally , which is believed to wax and wane with the moon. Though there is no scientific proof till now. Alongwith -‘Shivling’ , one can also witness two other ice formations which are said to be of Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha.
Although the existence of the Holycave is mentioned in the Puranas well, as per a Hindu legend, it is believed that when Parvati asked Shiva the secret of life and eternity. At first, he refused but she insisted, so he decided to reveal the secret to her.He left Mount Kailash along with Goddess Parvati and left his belongings at various places. For instance, Nandi, the Bull at Pahalgam, Moon from hair at Chandanwari, and snakes on the banks of Lake Sheshnag. Lord Ganesha was left at Mahagunas Parvat also called Mahaganesh Mountain plus, the five elements of nature – Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Sky were left at Panchtarni. As he sacrificed his belongings, he performed the Tandava Dance. And later, enter the cave with Parvati. To ensure no one was listening, he created fire to demolish all the life around him. But a pigeon under Lord Shiva remained and heard the secret of immortality.They were born and even today, devotees who visit Amarnath Temple can see a pair of pigeons inside the cave nesting. And because the secret of immortality was told here by Lord Shiva, the cave was called Amarnath. Shiva followers thus, take the Amarnath Yatra with true hearts and feelings and present to Lord Shivain hope of a righteous living, health, prosperity, and purity of the sins. Families, friends, and companions are often seen traveling together to Amarnath Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir despite its being 36 to 48 km long and difficult terrain to enlighten themselves by Shiva’s true light.Amarnath Yatra is organized every year There are 2 routes – Pahalgam and Baltal one can choose. This can be covered in 4 to 5 days (Pahalgam) or 1 to 2 days (Baltal). Most devotees prefer the longer and more traditional route from Srinagar though elderly citizens can choose to ride on a horse too.
Buta Malik – a Gujjar shepherd first discovered the cave as per references of Rajatarangini, which has a mention of Amaranth Temple(Amareshwar) & the people believe that Queen Suryamathi gave a present of Trishul, banalingas , and sacred emblems to Amaranth temple back in the 11th century AD. Buta Malik rediscovered the present cave in the 15thCentury wherein hereceived a bag full of coal from saint &which was transformed into gold coinson reaching home. Malik rushed back to thank the saint at the site but found the cave with Shivling inside instead .This led to the discovery of Amarnath Cave. Since then the site has become one of the major pilgrimage centers of Hindus. There are some other epics also one of them is focused on Bhrigu Rishi who visited the Himalayas and was first to have the Glimpse of Holy Amaranth cave which became Shiva’s abode & a center of Pilgrimagewhere large number of devotees embarked upon.
The Pilgrimage of Amarnath shrine is still one of the most difficult – pilgrimages of the northern India till date . The devotees trek through the daunting mountains to Shri Amarnath Ji shrine in south Kashmir to pay obeisance. At present the shrine is managed by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine board (SASB) which was constituted by an act of the J&K State legislature in 2000 with His Excellency the Governor of the J&K as its ex- officio chairman. The shrine board is entrusted with the task of making the pilgrimage hassle free for devotes besides up gradation of facilities etc. all along the route ensuring safety thereof meticulously.
Allout efforts are being made for comfortable pilgrimages of devotees/ tourists by way of providing transport, accommodation medical, Telcom and Langer Facilities. Not even this to avoid any threat of security all roads/treks are being widened & sensitized. The services of drones being put to make Shri Amarnath Shrine Pilgrimage safe &secure . This year helicopter services have been suspended due to safety concerns.
Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha has reaffirmed, “With full proof security & safety arrangements for over half a million devotees of Lord Shiva, Amarnath Yatra will culminate successfully with blessings of Mahadev- ushering in new era of prosperity in J&K.”