Amarnath
Amarnath is 145 km east of Srinagar in Kashmir. There is an ice Silva-linga
here that changes size with the seasons, and also as the moon waxes and wanes
it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about 6 ft
high. Each year on the full moon day of July-August (Sravana) when the Siva-linga
attains its maximum height there is a festival at this cave temple. It is
said that Lord Siva first appeared on this day.
It is located in a glacial valley at 4,175m (13,700 ft.). The cave is about
150 feet high and 90 feet long. Within the cave there are four or five ice
formations that resemble the figures of different gods. The biggest figures
of different gods. The biggest figure is regarded as Siva (Amarnath). On the
left side of the linga is an ice formation called Ganesh, and on the right
side is one of Parvati and Bhairava.
The area is covered with snow from September to June. The cave opens only
in July and August. This is the rainy season, so pilgrims have to brave the
rain to get there. About 25,000 people make this pilgrimage each year. You
can also hire ponies and dandies for the trip. It is very crowded during the
annual Sravana festival. There is a yearly pilgrimage starting from Srinagar
that is led by the Chhari Saheb, the holy seepter.
Amarnath Yatra
The of the most important event during July/ August, is Amarnath Yatra to
the Holy Pilgrimage. This is an annual event when thousands of Hindus from
different corners of the Globe visit Amarnath caves. The pilgrims trek from
Pahalgam to these caves and worship the great ice Lingam. Legend has it that
Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknow
to them, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this conversation and

having
learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their
eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the doves-pair when they trek the
arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of
Shiva). This is an event you certainly will talk about for the rest of your
life.
The Legend
There is famous Rigvedic Verse that says "Ekam Sat " that is "There
is one Being ,the sages call Him by many names." The God (Parmeshwar)
has three deities who carry on the world .This is Known as Holy Trinity. Brahma-
the creator, Vishnu - the perpetuator of life and Shiva (Mahesh ) -the purifier
and perpetuator of good and destroyer of evil. Rig Veda refer Shiva as Rudra
as in its following verse . "We Worship Tryambaka (Rudra) , Who spread
Fragrance and Increases Nourishment , May He release me ,like the cucumber
from its stem , From Mortal Life , But not From Immorality . "(Rig Veda
Mandal VII Sukta 59 and Mantra 12)
The Yajurveda describes Shiva as ascetic warrior Whose robe is of Deer Skin
and He carries Trishul .

According to the verse Satyam, Shivam ,Sundaram ,the life is described as
having three facets Truth (Satyam), Good (Shivam) and the Beautiful (Sundaram).
Shiva is a living God. The most Sacred and ancient books of India, the Rig
Veda narrates His presence in the hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy
testifies to His existence from the dawn of time .The Mohindaro and Harapa
findings confirm Shiva worship in the ancient India. According to the older
scriptures, He has three places of His residence. One is Kailash Parvat another
is Lohit Giri under which Brahamputra flows and third is Muzwan Parvat .
Amarnath Reservation Form