Baba Amarnath Yatra: a life time experience

Amarnath Cave is in the Himalayan region of south Kashmir. Amarnath cave is one of the main religious places of Lord Shiva. The shiva linga is made of ice inside the cave is about 10-12 feet high and is the symbol of people's faith and trust. The amazing facts about Amarnath is as follows: The length of the Amarnath cave (inward depth) is 19 meters and the width is 16 meters. This cave is spread over an area of approximately 150 feet and is about 11 meters high. In Kashmir there are 45 Shiva Dham, 60 Vishnu Dham, 3 Brahma Dham, 22 Shakti Dham, 700 Naga Dham and innumerable pilgrimages, but Amarnath Dham is the most important. According to the Purana, ten times as per Linga Darshan and Pooja in Kashi, hundred times from Prayag and thousand times more than Naimisharanya are considered as Amarnath Darshan.

The most surprising thing is that the Amarnath cave is the houses of a natural lingam made up of snow. The lingam waxes and wanes with the lunar cycle and this is considered a miracle of nature and the power of Lord Shiva. Amarnath cave is located at an altitude of 13,500 feet. The 3 km route to the cave is covered with snow. After crossing the river of ice, the cave can finally be seen. The cave is about 100 feet long and 150 feet wide.

There are two more ice lingams formed, each one representing Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha. Every year the devotees visit Amarnath for the entire month of Sawan from Aashadh Purnima till Raksha Bandhan. According to Hindu legends, this cave is a place where Lord Shiva taught the secrets of immortality and formation of the universe to the Mata Parvati. It is told that Sage Bhrigu was first to visit this cave and worship Lord Shiva.

It is believed that size of Shiva Lingam decreases and increases with different phases of moon. Once Mata Parvati asked Lord Shiva that when he started wearing the beads of heads. On this, Lord Shiva replied whenever you were born. Mata Parvati asked – why are you immortal and I keep on dying again and again? Lord Shiva said that this is due to the Amar Katha. Maa Parvati insisted to hear that Amar Katha and after convincing Lord for a long time, Lord Shiva decided to narrate that story to Mata Parvati.

To narrate the story, Lord Shiva started looking for an absolutely lonely place so that no living being can hear that Amar Katha except for Mata Parvati. He finally found the Amarnath Cave. To reach there, he left all his belonging on the way like his bull Nandi at Pahalgam, his Moon at Chandanwari, his snakes at the banks of Lake Sheshnag, his son Ganesha at Maha gunas Parvat and at Panjtarni, he left his five elements(Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Sky). After this, Lord Shiva entered in this holy Amarnath Cave with Mata Parvati. Lord Shiva sat on the deer skin and took a samadhi.

To further make sure that not even a single living being could hear the secret Amar Katha, He created a rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to set fire around the cave so that everything living around that place could be destroyed. He then started narrating the story of immortality to Mata Parvati. But in spite of all these efforts, one egg remained protected under the deer skin on which the Lord Shiva was sitting. But it was considered as non-living. A pair of pigeons was born out of that egg and supposedly became immortal. Pilgrims can still see the pigeon pair while going towards the Amarnath Cave.

First, there was heavy rainfall in Sheshnag and a lot of casualties in Sheshnag. We had to wait consecutively for two days at Pahalgam base camp. Routine was to eat a Bhandaras and go back to sleep in the camp. It was constantly raining with little breaks. Going to the bathroom was a task and you had to wait in the queue sometimes. Moreover, it was a crappy toilet. Of course, you cannot expect 5 star or any star facilities there, but I was stupid to as I wasn't exactly a Shraddhalu. I went there for adventure. Though, free langar, golgappa, tikkis and stuff made the journey very fun, recharged you, but still.

To begin the journey, we had to wake up very early in the morning and stand in queue. We reached Chandanwari on a bus. Then, our journey began with some tea and snacks. We reached Sheshnag by evening. We were enjoying snacks midway and had to continue walking non-stop. Walking non-stop with low levels of oxygen and sometimes on very narrow and risky pathways was not as tiring as it was boring. It was appearing to be unnecessary hard work. You would've done much greater hard work during some sports or some other activities. The real problem for me was it was damn boring. Unless you are a mad Shiva bhakt, don't go there. You will find it very boring. The temperature at Sheshnag were very low and near freezing point, but warm blankets and razai gave the necessary comfort. I slept wearing my jacket and wrapped under a thick razai.

Amarnath Dham located in Kashmir near Baltal is one of the most important Hindu Dham in India. Going on a pilgrimage tour to Amarnath is regarded as something a devout Hindu, especially the Shaivites (Lord Shiva believers) must do at least once in his/her life time. What makes Amarnath Yatra a more interesting journey is that the entire pilgrimage is an exercise into achieving samadhi as defined as the 8 limbs in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. This 8 limbs are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. In simple English they would translate as universal morality, personal observances, physical postures, mindful breathing, withdrawal from senses, one-pointedness of mind, meditation and union with the divine.

As with most pilgrimages Amarnath Yatra is located in high altitude mountain and require arduous treks of a week if one takes the traditional Pahalgam Route. Around 4-5 days taken to reach the Amarnath Cave point of pilgrimage helps in controlling the mind, intellect and ego. If you are traveling alone carrying with you only essential things to survive, it helps in getting rid of the earthly attachments, greed etc. The arduous uphill climb and harsh weather tests the will power and mental strength of the pilgrim. Breath control (pranayam) is essential to keep going on at that higher altitude. A detachment from surrounding or the sense (pratyahara) is of vital importance to have the will to carry one to pay obeisance to the divine.

Upon reaching the cave, a positive state of mind and meditation in the presence of a higher power (dhyana); the pilgrim achieves a new point of view to see things and experience of looking at thing both outwards and within. To achieve peace of mind and become one with divine, the person meditating has to let go of earthly desires, sense of self and all the attachments. As per the legend of Amar Katha which narrates the story of Shiva travelling to the cave to narrate the story of immortality to goddess Parvati, Shiva leaving his bull, the moon, his snake, son and finally the five elements signifies letting go of every worldly attachment.

Worldly worries ultimately give way to new wisdom upon meditating at the cave which the pilgrim acquires during the course of the Amarnath Yatra which in turn sets him/her on the path for future living (samadhi). Health Benefits of Amarnath Yatra. Now another thing that make Amarnath Yatra interesting is the health benefits associated with it. The undisciplined and unprepared will not be able to reach the cave walking on foot. They need to jog/run for at least half an hour and do exercises especially the stretching exercises. Stretching your hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors and low back muscles regularly, promotes relaxation in the tissues reducing the strain on your back.

The pure oxygen that floods through the hills is rejuvenating. It fills your lungs with the fresh air which comes as a great breather far from the automobile and industry polluted air of the cities. During the journey, it is prohibited to take non-vegetarian food and alcohol drinks. Therefore, the plain food habit flushes out the toxins and even restores the pilgrim’s health. In short here are some of the health benefits that comes intertwined with this yatra. Improved cardio-respiratory fitness.

Improved muscular fitness. Improved heart health and lesser chances of stroke. Lower risk of colon and breast cancer, and possibly lung and endometrial cancer. Increased bone density or a slower loss of density. Lower risk of early death. Weight control (treks could burns up 370 calories an hour). Lowered risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Weight loss. Lower cholesterol. Helps prevent osteoporosis. Helps promote better sleep. Improved immune system. Reduced depression and better quality sleep. Jay Baba Amarnath Ji Ki