The highly anticipated Baba Amarnath Yatra is set to commence on Saturday, June 29, in Jammu and Kashmir. This pilgrimage, eagerly awaited by millions of devotees throughout the year, begins on the auspicious occasion of Ashadha Purnima. Devotees flock to the sacred site to witness the divine presence of Baba Barfani, the naturally formed ice Shivling, in one of Lord Shiva's most revered pilgrimage sites, Amarnath.
The period of darshan, or viewing, of Baba Barfani extends from Ashadha Purnima to Shravan Purnima, giving devotees two full months to pay their respects. The holy cave of Amarnath, a significant site for Shiva worship, offers a rare and natural spectacle. The origins of when Lord Shiva began residing in this cave or when devotees first started visiting are not documented, but it is believed that the cave was rediscovered about 150 years ago after being forgotten for a period.
Pilgrims must traverse various stages to reach the Amarnath cave, where the naturally forming ice Shivling is seen as nothing short of a miracle. Thousands of devotees visit annually to witness this phenomenon. The Shrine Board makes extensive preparations for the pilgrims, including organizing community kitchens (langars) at different points along the route. However, the journey is fraught with challenges, including extreme cold and difficult terrain, requiring substantial efforts to clear paths and ensure safe passage for the pilgrims.
The formation of the ice Shivling in the Amarnath cave is a gradual process, starting as a small ice figure and growing steadily over 15 days to reach a height of over 2 yards. As the moon wanes, the Shivling also begins to diminish, eventually disappearing entirely with the moon's complete obscuration.
There are two main routes to reach the Amarnath cave. One route passes through Pahalgam, while the other goes via Sonamarg to Baltal. It is said that the cave was discovered in the 15th century by a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik.
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