Saturday 28 June 2014

Amarnath Temple(Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board)- Baba Amarnath:बाबा बर्फानी की रहस्यमयी अमर/अमरत्व कथा,... और अजय अमर 2 कबूतर का जोड़ा :::: Mystery Of Pigeon-amarnath cave :::: Official web site of AMARNATH TEMPLE SOCIETY: http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com/

Amarnath Temple(Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board)

-Baba Amarnath:बाबा बर्फानी की रहस्यमयी अमर/अमरत्व कथा,... और अजय अमर 2 कबूतर का जोड़ा

-Mystery Of Pigeon-amarnath cave

-Official web site of AMARNATH TEMPLE SOCIETY:http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com/

एक बार मां पार्वती ने बड़ी उत्सुकता के साथ बाबा श्री विश्वनाथ देवाधिदेव महादेव से यह प्रश्न किया कि ऐसा क्यों होता है कि आप अजर अमर हैं और मुझे हर जन्म के बाद नए स्वरूप में आकर फिर से वर्षो की कठोर तपस्या के बाद आपको प्राप्त करना होता है।
जब मुझे आपको ही प्राप्त करना है तो फिर मेरी यह तपस्या क्यूं? मेरी इतनी कठोर परीक्षा क्यूं? और आपके कंठ में पड़ी यह परमुण्ड माता तथा आपके अमर होने का कारण व रहस्य क्या है? महाकाल ने पहले तो माता को यह गूढ़ रहस्य बताना उचित नहीं समझा परन्तु माता की स्त्री हठ के आगे उनकी एक न चली।

तब महादेव शिव को मां पार्वती को अपनी साधना की अमर कथा, जिसे हम अमरत्व की कथा के रूप में जानते हैं, इसी परम पावन अमरनाथ की गुफा में कही। भगवान शंकर ने मां पार्वती जी से एकान्त व गुप्त स्थान पर अमर कथा सुनने को कहा, जिससे कि अमर कथा को कोई भी जीव, व्यक्ति और यहां तक कोई पशु-पक्षी न सुन लें, क्योंकि जो कोई भी इस अमर कथा को सुन लेता, वह अमर हो जाता।
इस कारण शिव जी मां पार्वती को लेकर किसी गुप्त स्थान की ओर चल पड़े। सबसे पहले भगवान भोले ने अपनी सवारी नंदी को पहलगाम पर छोड़ दिया, इसलिए बाबा अमरनाथ की यात्रा पहलगाम से शुरू करने का तात्पर्य या बोध होता है।

आगे चलने पर शिव जी ने अपनी जटाओं में चन्द्रमा को चंदनवाड़ी में अलग कर दिया और गंगा जी को पंचतरणी में और कंठाभूषण सर्पो को शेषनाग पर छोड़ दिया। इस प्रकार इस पड़ाव का नाम शेषनाग पड़ा। आगे की यात्रा में अगला पड़ाव गणेश टाप पड़ता है, इस स्थान पर बाबा ने अपने पुत्र गणेश को भी छोड़ दिया था, जिसको महागुणा का पर्वत भी कहा जाता है। पिस्सू घाटी में पिस्सू नामक कीड़े को भी त्याग दिया।

इस प्रकार महादेव ने अपने पीछे जीवनदायिनी पांचों तत्वों को भी अपने से अलग कर दिया। इसके साथ मां पार्वती संग एक गुप्त गुफा में प्रवेश कर गए। कोई व्यक्ति, पशु या पक्षी गुफा के अंदर प्रवेश कर अमर कथा को न सुने, इसलिए शिव जी ने अपने चमत्कार से गुफा के चारों ओर आग प्रज्जवलित कर दी। फिर शिव जी ने जीवन की अमर कथा मां पार्वती को सुनाना शुरू किया। कथा सुनते-सुनते देवी पार्वती को नींद आ गई और वह सो गई, जिसका शिव जी को पता नहीं चला।

भगवान शिव अमर होने की कथा सुनाते रहे। इस समय दो सफेद कबूतर श्री शिव जी से कथा सुन रहे थे और बीच-बीच में आवाज निकाल रहे थे, शिव जी को लग रहा था कि मां पार्वती कथा सुन रही है और बीच-बीच में हुंकार भर रही हैं। इस तरह दोनों कबूतरों ने अमर होने की पूरी कथा सुन ली। कथा समाप्त होने पर शिव का ध्यान पार्वती मां की ओर गया जो सो रही थी। शिव जी ने सोचा कि अगर पार्वती सो रही है, तब इसे सुन कौन रहा था।

तब महादेव की दृष्टि कबूतरों पर पड़ी। महादेव शिव कबूतरों पर क्रोधित हुए और उन्हें मारने के लिए तत्पर हुए। इस पर कबूतरों ने शिव जी से कहा कि हे प्रभु हमने आपसे अमर होने की कथा सुनी है, यदि आप हमें मार देंगे तो अमर होने की यह कथा झूठी हो जाएगी। इस पर शिव जी ने कबूतरों को जीवित छोड़ दिया और उन्हें आर्शीवाद दिया कि तुम सदैव इस स्थान पर शिव पार्वती के प्रतीक चिन्ह के रूप में निवास करोगे।

अत: यह कबूतर का जोड़ा अजय अमर हो गया। माना जाता है कि आज भी इन दोनों कबूतरों का दर्शन भक्तों को यहां प्राप्त होता है। इस तरह से यह गुफा अमर कथा की साक्षी हो गई व इसका नाम अमरनाथ गुफा पड़ा।
जहां गुफा के अंदर भगवान शंकर बर्फ के निर्मित शिवलिंग के रूप में विराजमान है। पवित्र गुफा में मां पार्वती के अलावा गणेश के भी अलग से बर्फ से निर्मित प्रतिरूपों के दर्शन किए जा सकते हैं।

***

इस पवित्र गुफा की खोज के बारे में पुराणों में भी एक कथा प्रचलित है कि एक बार एक गड़रिये को एक साधू मिला, जिसने उस गड़रिये को कोयले से भरी एक बोरी दी जिसे गड़रिया अपने कंधे पर लाद कर अपने घर को चल दिया। घर आकर उसने बोरी खोली तो वह आश्चर्यचकित हुआ क्योंकि कोयले की बोरी अब सोने के सिक्कों की हो चुकी थी। इसके बाद वह गड़रिया साधू से मिलने व धन्यवाद देने के लिए उसी स्थान पर गया जहां पर साधू से मिला था।

परन्तु वहां उसे साधू नहीं मिला बल्कि उसे ठीक उसी जगह एक गुफा दिखाई दी। गड़रिया जैसे ही उस गुफा के अंदर गया तो उसने वहां पर देखा कि भगवान भोले शंकर बर्फ के बने शिवलिंग के आकार में स्थापित थे। उसने वापस आकर सबको यह कहानी बताई और इस तरह भोले बाबा की पवित्र अमरनाथ गुफा की खोज हुई।

धीरे-धीरे करते दूर-दूर से भी लोग पवित्र गुफा एवं बाबा के दर्शन के लिए पहुंचने लगे, जो आज एक प्रतिवर्ष यात्रा के रूप में जारी है।

Amarnath Temple

Amarnath Cave

Amarnath Cave Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Coordinates:	34.2149°N 75.5008°ECoordinates: 34.2149°N 75.5008°E
Name
Proper name:	Amarnath Cave Temple
Location
Country:	India
State:	Jammu and Kashmir
Location:	Pahalgam, Anantnag
Architecture and culture
Primary deity:	Shiva
History
Creator:	Natural formation
Website:	www.shriamarnathjishrine.com

Amarnath cave is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is dedicated to Shiva. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft),^[1] about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and reached through Pahalgam town. The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism,^[2] and is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism.^[3] The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. The cave itself is covered with snow most of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Thousands of Hindu devotees make an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave on challenging mountainous terrain to see an ice stalagmite formed inside the cave.

The Linga

Ice Lingam at Amarnath Cave

Inside the 40 m (130 ft) high Amarnath cave, the stalagmite is formed due to freezing of water drops that fall from the roof of the cave on to the floor and grows up vertically from the cave floor.^[4] It is considered to be a Shiva Linga by Hindus. The Cave waxes during May to August, as snow melts in the Himalayas above the cave and the resultant water seeps into the rocks that form the cave and gradually wanes thereafter.^[1] As per the religious beliefs, it has been claimed that the lingam grows and shrinks with the phases of the moon reaching its height during the summer festival, although there is no scientific evidence for this belief.^[5]
According to a Hindu legend, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort, Parvati.^[6]^[7] Two other ice formations represent Parvati and Shiva's son, Ganesha.
The main purpose of the annual pilgrimage to the cave is worship of the ice stalagmite Lingam.

History

The Amarnath cave has been a place of worship since times immemorial. There are references to the legendary king Aryaraja (ascribed dates 300 BCE)^[8] who used to worship a lingam formed of ice in Kashmir. The book Rajatarangini (Book VII v.183) refers to Amareshwara or Amarnath. It is believed that Queen Suryamathi in the 11th century AD gifted trishuls, banalingas and other sacred emblems to this temple.^[9] Rajavalipataka, begun by Prjayabhatta has detailed references to the pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave. Other than this, there are further references to this pilgrimage in many other ancient texts.

Discovery of Holy Cave

It is believed that after the Middle Ages, this cave was forgotten by people before it was discovered by a shepherd in the 15th century once again.^[9]
Another story relates to Bhrigu Muni. Long time ago it is believed that The Vale of Kashmir was submerged under water and Kashyapa Muni drained it through a series of rivers and rivulets. Therefore when the waters drained, Bhrigu Muni was the first to have Darshan of Lord Amarnath. Thereafter, when people heard of the Lingam, it became an abode of Lord Bholenath for all believers and a pilgrimage which is done by lakhs of people each year.^[9]

Yatra

Amarnath Yatra Camp.

The temple is a popular yatra destination for Hindus. In 2011 it received about 634,000 persons, the highest recorded number for the site.^[10] The number was 622,000 in 2012 and 350,000 in 2013. Pilgrims visit the holy site during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani Mela in July–August, coinciding with the Hindu holy month of Shraavana.
The beginning of the annual pilgrimage, called Amarnath Yatra^[11] is marked by 'pratham pujan' to invoke the blessings of Shri Amarnathji.^[12]
In 2014, the Yatra would commence on June 28 and end on August 10.^[13]

Route

Amarnath pilgrims en route the holy shrine

Devotees travel on foot, either from Srinagar or from Pahalgam.^[3] The latter journey takes approximately 5 days.^[3]
The State Road Transport Corporation and Private Transport Operators provide the regular services from Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal. Also privately hired taxis are available from Jammu & kashmir.
The shorter northern route is just about 16 km long, but has a very steep gradient and is quite difficult to climb. It starts from Baltal and passes through Domial, Barari, and Sangam to reach the cave. The northern route is along the Amarnath valley and all along the route one can see the river Amaravathy (It is more like a tributary of Chenab) which originates from Amarnath Glacier.
It is believed that Lord Shiva left Nandi, The Bull, at Pahalgam (Bail Gaon). At Chandanwari, he released the Moon from his hair (Jataon). On the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he released his snakes. At Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Mountain), he left his son Lord Ganesha. At Panjtarni, Lord Shiva left behind the five elements - Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky. As a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Dance. Then, finally, Lord Shiva entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati.^[14]

Facilities

En route the cave, various non-profit organizations set up food supply and resting tents called pandals which are available for free to the pilgrims. Near the shrine, hundreds of tents which are erected by locals can be hired for a night's stay. Helicopter services from base camp to Panjtarni (6 km from the cave) are also available from various private operators.^[15]

Security

Every year, thousands of central police and state police personnel are deployed to provide security to pilgrims from potential terror threats. The forces position at various halts and also in the perimeter of the shrine.^[16]

Deaths

Of the 622,000 yatra pilgrims in 2012, 130 died during the yatra. The major cause was attributed to persons who were not physically fit for the arduous climb, high elevations, and adverse weather undertook the yatra. Some also died in road accidents before reaching the base camp from where the yatra starts. Of the 130 deaths, 88 were due to purported health reasons and 42 in road accidents. The 2012 pilgrimage ended on Shravana Purnima (Raksha Bandan) Day, 2 August 2012.^[17]

Organisers

Officially, the Yatra is organised by the State Government in collaboration with the Shree Amarnath Yatra trust. The Government agencies provide necessary facilities all along the route during the Yatra period, which includes provision of ponies, supply of power, telecommunication facilities, firewood and setting up of fair price shops.^[15]

1990s problems

The pilgrimage was banned from 1991 to 1995 due to threats from militants. In 1996 the militants had assured that they would not interfere allowing a resumed yatra with far greater numbers than in previous years. However, unseasonal blizzards in late August of that year led to a tragedy that claimed the lives of 242 yatris, killed by exhaustion and exposure.^[18]^[19]

2000 massacre

Four years later, the pilgrimage suffered another setback with the massacre in Pahalgam of 30 people by Kashmiri separatist militants.^[20] Most were yatris on their way to Amarnath^[21] or porters and horsemen who would have ferried the pilgrims to the site.^[22] Then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee blamed Lashkar-e-Taiba for the killings.^[23]

Controversies

2008 Land transfer controversy

On 26 May 2008, the Government of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir reached an agreement to transfer 100 acres (0.40 km²) of forest land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB)^[24] to set up temporary shelters and facilities for Hindu pilgrims. Kashmiri separatists opposed the move citing reasons that it will jeopardize the article 370 that gives separate identity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and prevents any Indian citizen to settle in Kashmir. People in Kashmir staged widespread protests against this decision by government of India.^[25] Due to the protests, the J&K State government relented and reversed the decision to transfer land. As a result, Hindus in the Jammu region launched counter-agitations against this roll back.^[26]

Environmental destruction

Environmentalists have expressed concern that the number of people participating in the Amarnath Yatra is having a negative impact on the area's ecology and some have expressed support for government regulated limits on the number of pilgrims permitted to make the trek.^[27]

Popular culture

Famous Santoor artist Rahul Sharma named a track after Amarnath temple as "Shiva Linga: The Amarnath Cave"^[28]

Gallery

Pilgrims riding ponies on the way to Amarnath Cave
On way to Amarnath Cave
Pandals in service to the pilgrims
Helicopter service up to panjtarni on route to Amarnath Cave
Tents are available to hire for a small fee near base of imposing Amarnath Cave as visible in background
Glacier over Lidder River in Chandanwari on the way to Amarnath Temple