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The Amarnath Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage for Hindi worshippers who desire to participate at least once in their lifetime. Thousands of devotees take part in the Amarnath Yatra each year, which takes place between the months of June and August. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board organizes this spiritual tour. This year, the 62-day yatra will begin on July 1, 2023, and end on August 31, 2023. The yatra will begin simultaneously on both routes — the Pahalgam track in Anantnag and the Baltal track in Ganderbal.
The yatra is done to visit Amarnath Cave, one of Hindus’ most treasured pilgrimage sites. It is believed to be the highest point in Srinagar, with a height of 3,888 meters in Srinagar, it is considered to be one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva.
The Amarnath Cave is only accessible during this time of year. The Yatra takes place during the Shravani Mela, which occurs in the Hindu month of Shravan.
History and significance
The Amarnath Yatra is a 46-kilometer pilgrimage that is said to put devotees’ faith and belief to the test. A visit to the site is thought to cleanse one of the world’s sins. According to tradition, Lord Shiva chose the cave to impart to Goddess Parvati the secrets of immortality and the creation of the Universe.
It is also reported that the cave was discovered by a shepherd named Buta Malik. According to folklore, Buta Malik received a sack full of coal from a saint and returned home to find gold coins instead of coal. He returned to express his appreciation to the saint he went back to the place where he met him but found the cave with the ice lingam inside instead. The ice lingam represents Lord Shiva and is formed by a trickle of water from a cleft in the roof of the cave.
Other epics, on the other hand, convey a different story. According to legend, the Kashmir valley was inundated in water, which Kashyap Rishi drained through different rivers and rivulets. At the same period, Bhrigu Rishi traveled to the Himalayas and was the first to see the hallowed Amarnath Cave.
How to perform Amarnath pilgrimage
Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board handles registration through numerous registration centers situated throughout India; online registration has also begun.
Individuals between the ages of 13 and 70 can register for an obligatory health certificate, according to the criteria. Women who are 6 weeks or more pregnant are not permitted to participate in the yatra.
Here’s a list of precautions for devotees, as advised by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board:
*Do prepare for the Yatra by achieving physical fitness– it is advisable to start a preparatory morning/evening walk, about 4-5 km per day at least a month prior to the yatra.
*Start deep breathing exercises and yoga, particularly pranayama for improving the oxygen efficiency of the body.
*Do check with your physician prior to travelling to higher elevations, if you have any existing pre-medical conditions.
*Do walk slowly while ascending and take time to acclimatise-relax for a short while on steep inclines.
Source:IE
