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Home , Panchtarni, Sheshnag Lake, Shiva

September - October 2011 Orissa Review

The Holy Place Amarnath

Dasharathi Patra

The renowned Amarnath Caves are shrine, where the image of Shiva waxes and wanes situated on Mount Amarnath at a height of around with the moon. 4000 meters. It is one of the oldest holiest places Whatever the legend and the history of of and located in and Kashmir. Amarnath’s discovery, it is today an extremely Dedicated to Shiva, the shrine is said to be crucial centre of . The route though over 5000 years old. The shrine is an important difficulties exciting and every year, millions of part of Indian devotees from the mythology. The Holy subcontinent come to “Amarnath Caves”, pay homage before surrounded by the Shiva in one of the breathtaking Himalayan abodes. , invites tourists to The trek from experience the Pahalgaon to beauty, a part from Amarnath Cave can offering worship. be covered in four Tourists will get an days with night halts opportunity to visit at Chandanwari, nearby Kerdarnath Sheshnag, and other holy . The places. They will get distance from divine satisfaction as nature unfolds mysteries of Pahalgaon to Chandanwari can be covered in legends here. On entering the main cave in the about five to six hours, and the trail runs along the temple, you will come across an ice-, Pilgrims can camp the first night. A resembling a naturally formed Shiva . By major attraction is a bridge covered with ice all its side are two more fascinating ice-Lingams that year round. resemble and son . The trek to The trek from Chandanwari to Sheshnag Amarnath, in the month of Shravan (July - will give a spectacular and primeval countryside August), has the devour flock to this incredible view. Sheshnag is a mountain that derived the

39 Orissa Review September - October 2011 name from the seven peaks, resembling the heads covered under the route are , Patnitp, of mythical . The journey follows steep Ramban, Kazi Gund, , and Sonmarg. inclines along the bank of a cascading stream and Some Useful Tips for Pilgrims:- wild scenery untouched by civilization. The second night’s camp will over look the deep Because of unpredictable weather waters of ,and glaciers beyond it. condition, pilgrims and tourists are advised to The stillness of a pine - scented Himalayan night carry Rain coat, Woolen clothing’s, Small will be etched in your memory for long. Umbrella (with head-elastic-band-and strap around chin), Walking stick, Dry fruits, Torch and The third day’s 13 km trek will wind up medical kits, among others. across Mahagunas Pass at 4,600 meter and then descend to the meadow-lands of Panchtarni, the Important Information for Pilgrims: last camp on route to the holy cave. Panchtarni For undertaking the , one is to Amarnath is only 6 km, but an early morning’s required to register at Jammu and Kashmir Govt. start is recommended as a long queue will wait Tourist Offices located at Delhi, Mumbai, near the entrance to the cave. Devotees can return Kolkata, Ahemadabad, Hyderabad, Jammu and after darshan to Panchtarni the same day in time Kashmir. Tourists of may contact Govt for lunch, returning to Pahalgaon on the fifth day. of India Tourist Office at 2nd Floor, Paryatan This visit to the abode of the Lord who is Bhawan, Phone 0674-2432203, both destroyer and healer will be an enlightening 2435487 for obtaining detailed information and and enriching experience. assistance for their trip to Amarnath. The route for Amarnath :- One is the Jammu- Pahalgaonroute and another is Jammu, Baltale, (i) Jammu to Pahalgaoncan be covered by taxi or bus.

(ii) The second is Baltale, covering about Dasharathi Patra, Statistical Investigator, Department of 400kms from Jammu. The important destinations Tourism, Odisha, Paryatan Bhawan, Bhubaneswar-14.

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. – Shakespeare

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