Devi‘s Throat/Neck fell here near Pahalgam,Jammu Kashmir,India.
I have completed posting articles on the Ashtadasa(18) Peetas of Shakti as descrbed by Adi Shankaracharya.
I am planning, DV, on the 52/101 Shakti Peetas as well.
The Legend:
he cave is said to be about 5000 years old.
There is a reference about King Aryaraja dating back to 300 BCE who used to worship a ling formed in ice in Kashmir.
The book Rajatarangini (is a historical chronicle written in verse form in sanskrit particularly about the kings of Kashmir) has references to Amarnath or Amareshwara. Suryamathi, a queen gifted Trishul, banalingas and other sacred emblems to the temple in 11th Century AD.
Puranic References
According to one reference/narration Lord Shiva led an ascetic life after the death of Sati.
Then Sati was reborn as Parvati, the daughter of Himavan.
As Parvati knew about her earlier life as Devi Sati, Parvati did severe tapas to reunite with Lord Shiva at Amarnath.
Devi Parvati then joins Lord Shiva as Mahamaya at Amarnath.
Along with the Ice Linga, there are two other lingas representing Devi Parvati and Ganesh.
Another narration/reference is that Lord Shiva explained the secret of immortality and creation of Universe to Devi Parvati which is as follows:
Once Devi Parvati wanted to know when and why Lord Shiv was wearing the Mund Mala (chain worn around Lord Shiva’s neck made of beads of head)
Lord Shiva replied that each time Parvati was born, another bead of head gets added to his mala (chain).
Devi Parvati was astonished at this and asked Lord Shiva that though she was going through the cycle of birth and death time and again, how come He was immortal.
Parvati pleaded with Shiva to reveal the mystery of eternity.
Lord Shiva chose a place where no living being could listen and thus chose Amarnath cave. As Lord Shiva started towards Amarnath cave,
He left His Nandi (bull which He used to ride) at Phalgham (Bali gaon). At Chandanwari, He released Moon from his Hair( Jatta).
He released the snakes on the banks of Lake Sheshnag. Lord Shiva left Ganesha, his son at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill).
Finally Lord Shiva left Panch bhootas or five elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky) which make a living being at Panchtarni.
It is said that Lord Shiva and Parvati did Tandav nritya as a symbol of sacrificing the Panch Boothas.
After leaving all these behind, Lord Siva then entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Devi Parvati.
In the cave, Lord Shiva took Samadhi on the Deer Skin.
As Lord Shiva wanted the immortal tale to be kept a secret, He created a Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy Cave.
After this, He narrated the secret of immortality to Devi Parvati.
But, there was one egg which was lying beneath the Deer skin which remained protected.
It was believed to be non living besides, being protected by Shiva-
Parvati Asan (Bed). The pair of pigeons which were born out of this egg became immortal after having heard the secret of immortality (Amar Khatha) from Lord Shiva.
Many devotees who visit Amarnath cave report about having sighted the pair of pigeons en route to the Ice-Linga.
Another narration/reference is about the cave is that the Kashmir valley was under water. Sage Kashyap drained the water through number of rivers and rivulets.
Another reference is that Sage Bhrigu visited The Himalayas during that time and he was the first to visit the Amarnath cave.
How to Reach:
Amarnath: Mahamaya (Kashmira):
Anantnag district,Near Pahalgam
a) Amarnath yatra is very famous, done in July/ August, only when Amar Shivling is available to humans.We can join the yatra either from Delhi or from Srinagar.Helicopter service is also available.
b) According to some people, it is the Maha Maya temple located at about 5 K.m from Jammu on the by-pass road, behind Bahu Fort,near river Tawi.Citation,
Related articles
Leave a Reply