A walk to the Holy Cave

Aug 05, 2012 - DC CORRESPONDENT

The Amarnath cave pilgrimage is an annual journey made by Hindu devotees to the Amarnath cave in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the cave is a holy shrine as legend says that this is where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati. Two other ice formations represent Parvati and their son, Ganesha.

Legend also has it that the lingam in the shrine is made naturally of a stalagmite of ice, which waxes and wanes with the moon.
Situated at an altitude of 3,888 m, about 141 km from Srinagar, the cave can be reached through Pahalgam town. It is believed that Lord Shiva left Nandi his bull at Pahalgam. At Chandanwari, he released the moon from his hair and let go of his snakes on the banks of Lake Sheshnag. Mahagunas Parvat was where he left his son Lord Ganesha and at Panjtarni, he left the five elements — earth, water, air, fire and sky. As a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world, Shiva performed the tandava dance before he entered the holy cave along with Parvati.

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