Situated at a massive altitude of 13,500 feet, the amaranth cave holds immense religious sanctity. Hundreds of devotees flank this pilgrimage every year to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. While the cave holds a special place among the Hindus, there is a miracle unfolding in the cave that makes it all the more pristine and astounding!
The Amarnath Cave: Discovery
The Amaranth cave is believed to have been discovered more than 5000 years back. There are many stories revolving around its discovery. There is one story though that is quite famous- that of a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik. It is believed that this young boy while looking after his flock came across a saint who handed him a bag of coal and asked him to keep it safely. Confused, the kid took it and once he reached home, he looked into the coal bag only to find that it had turned into gold. Elated and surprised, he rushed to the spot where he’d met the saint and found a cave there instead. Quickly this miracle story of the saint spread amongst the villagers and the cave soon became a place of pilgrimage.
Intriguing Facts About The Amarnath Cave
The Amaranth cave is full of surprising facts that bear witness to miracles and divine intervention. Many of these miraculous happenings have no scientific explanation but they never cease to exist.
It is believed that the Amaranth cave is where Lord Shiva narrated the story of immortality to Goddess Parvati. While He was narrating the story, there was a pair pigeons who were very intently listening to the story. Such was the power entwined in the narration that the pigeons went on to become immortal. Till this date, the pigeons appear every time during the formation of the Shivling.
The Ice Shivling at Amaranth
There are a total of three ice Lingas that form every year at the cave- the origin of which in itself is pure mystery. The three Lingas represent Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha. It has been proved that the three Lingas wane according to the Lunar cycle which is a very enchanting miracle.
Right next to the Lingas is a perennially flowing waterfall, the origin of which till date is untraced. There have been numerous researches made and theories run but no one has been able to figure the origin of the waterfall or the scientific reason behind its occurrence. This is another extremely fascinating miracle that takes places round the year in the Amarnath shrine.
The Amaranth yatra is extremely tedious that is traversed through steep valleys on one side and snow-capped mountains on the other. At a distance of some 141 kilometre from Srinagar, the 40 km towering cave is a miracle in itself which is thronged by thousands of pilgrims very year to get a glimpse of the pious snow Shiv Lingam.
Also Read: All About Mahashivratri
