Thus spake Satya Sai Baba.....Page-33 SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Music straddling boundaries...Page-44 A Journey of faith Sunil Koul place is actually a lake surrounded by snow clad peaks resem- bling the heads of the mythical snake. Swami Amar Nath Ji Yatra is the most hallowed Hindu pil- Next phase of the holy journey is a backbreaking steep zig- grimage of Northern India in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. zag trek towards the Mahagunas Top that leaves the pilgrims The pilgrimage attracts lakhs of devotees annually from vari- breathless due to high altitude and lack of oxygen. Some pil- ous parts of the country in the month of Shravan (July-August) grims may experience nausea as well. Dry fruits, sour and to pay their respectful obeisance to Lord Shiva which is in the sweet eatables like Lemon may prove to be helpful in such a form of ice-lingam formed naturally of an ice-stalagmite in the situation. All along the route, medical facilities free of charge cave at Swami Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir. The Amarnath are available for those pilgrims who require any medical atten- Ji is considered to be one of the most revered Hindu Dhams tion. Moving forward, the track descend to the meadows of and the holy cave to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Since the Posh Pathri richly covered by wild fragrant flowers and herbs. Yatra assumes colossal importance nationwide, it is imperative But it is said that whosoever halts here for some time falls into upon every devotee to have a cursory knowledge about the a deep slumber because of this intense fragrance. So it is history of the Yatra. It includes the knowhow of various religious advised not to spend more time at this spot and proceed places situated en-route to Holy Cave through Baltal and Pahal- towards the next halt at Panjtarni. Panjtarni is enveloped by gam routes. five snow-clad peaks where the pilgrims take rest and stay It is worthwhile to mention here that quite a few across the overnight. In the wee hours next day, the yatra proceeds country know about another pilgrimage of Lord Shiva in the towards the final destination, the Holy cave - the abode of Lord same district of Anantnag popularly known as Chotta Amarnath Shiva. On the way to the Holy Cave, one comes across the Ji situated in a hamlet of “Thajwar” about seven kilometres from confluence (Sangam) of Amravati and Panjtarni streams. The Bijbehara town. There is a cave of Lord Shiva on the hill-top pilgrims take ablution at Amravati near the Holy Cave before thronged by the pilgrims on the day of Shrawan Purnima, coin- paying the obeisance. ciding with the day on which the two-month long annual Swa- CHHADI MUBARAK mi Amarnath Ji yatra concludes. The Chhadi Mubarak comprising of the priests and pilgrims THE LEGEND ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOLYAMARNATH CAVE start the on-foot journey from Dashnami Akhada at Srinagar. It is believed that a muslim shepherd named Buta Malik was After performing the necessary rituals, the Chhadi Mubarak given a sack of coal by a sage. After reaching home, Malik dis- visits the famous Shankaracharaya temple and Durga Nag covered that the sack in fact contained gold. He was elated and temple before proceeding towards the Holy Cave. During the straightway rushed back to the sage to express his gratitude. on-foot yatra, they perform the series of religious obligations Instead, he saw a miracle and could not believe his eyes to find and rituals at Awantipora temple, Shiv Temple Bijbehara, out a cave there. Since then, the Holy Cave became a place Raghunath Ji temple and Martand Sun Temple at Mattan in for the annual pilgrimage. Anantnag. Amidst all these rituals, devotees are seen chant- A legend has it that in this very cave Lord Shiva recounted ing hymns and Bhajans making the whole environment live- to Mata Parvati, the secret of creation of the whole universe ly. and the ways of emancipation of the mankind. A pair of doves The Chhadi Mubarak finally perform the Darshan of Swami overheard this conversation and since then became immortal. Amarnath Ji on the day of Shravan Poornima (Raksha Band- The pair of doves has made the cave their eternal abode and han). This marks the concluding of the holy pilgrimage that is could be seen by the pilgrims in the Holy Cave.+ visited by lakhs of devotees from across the geographies. In BALTAL ROUTE 2014, about 3, 72,909 yatris had performed the pilgrimage. The shortest route to perform the mountainous pilgrimage 2014 when the colour of the spring had changed to red and Pahalgam PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES of Swami Amarnath Ji is taken through the Baltal in Ganderbal thereafter floods ravaged the Kashmir valley in the first week When the yatra proceeds from base camp Pahalgam, the It is the pre-requisite for an intending pilgrim to adopt some district of the Kashmir valley. Baltal is about sixty kilometres of September 2014. first halt (Padav) is about 16 Kms away at a place known as precautionary measures while traversing through these tough away from the summer capital of the state viz Srinagar and PAHALGAM ROUTE Chandanwari. The road leading to Chandanwari is motor-able. routes. A pilgrim should keep a stick in his hand to maintain the about fifteen kilometres from the famous tourist destination While taking the route via Pahalgam, pilgrims can have an To reach this spot, one can board the public transport available balance and should put on the sports shoes apart from taking Sonamarg. From Baltal, one has to traverse through narrow opportunity to visit Raghunath Ji temple as well as the on reasonable rates fixed by the local authority. The trail runs less baggage along in order to withstand the challenges of the terrain along steep cliffs till confluence of streams at Sangam. renowned Sun Temple in Martand located in the district Anant- along the Lidder River with a most fabulous and mesmerising track. It is also desirable to take along a first-aid kit. The selec- Moving forward, pilgrims are required to travel on the slippery nag. World famous hill station Pahalgam is the base camp of scenic view. It is believed that Lord Shiva massaged his fore- tion of the clothes is crucial as one need to wear warm clothes track over primitive glaciers for about three kilometres before the yatra that is about 100 kilometres away from Srinagar. From head with sandalwood powder (Chandan) at this place hence in order to keep away any risks posed by the hostile cold weath- reaching to the Holy cave of Swami Amarnath Ji. It has been here, the pilgrims have the option to travel either by road or on- deriving its name as Chandanwari. After reaching Chandan- er that keeps fluctuating across the routes. The casualties of the by and large seen that the weather on this route remains foot. Pilgrims make it a point to visit the Lord Shiva temple sit- wari, the yatra proceeds towards Pishu Top through a very dif- Amarnath yatris that had taken place some years back were inclement and torrential rains lash over the area frequently pos- uated on the embankment of famous Lidder River. One more ficult and challenging track. One feels quite ecstatic to traverse only because pilgrims were not equipped with adequate warm ing enormous inconvenience to the devotees. Unflinching faith ancient temple of Lord Shiva called Mamal Temple is situated this arduous track while chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ by virtue clothes. shields the visiting pilgrims from inhospitable weather condi- on the hilltop across the Lidder River and is also worth a visit. of which this hazardous track seems quite easier. After com- The step-by-step procedure which the Yatris need to follow tions while taking this route that is less preferred. The majori- Pahalgam town enveloped in the snow-clad mountains and the pleting this leg of the journey along the steep mountainous to register for the Yatra has been put on the Shri Amarnathji ty opt for the Pahalgam track. The Baltal Route gives an oppor- dense cover of forests is a treat to the eyes. It is believed that slope, the devotees halt to take rest to reenergise themselves. Shrine Board’s website, www.shriamarnathjishrine.com. The tunity to pay obeisance at Holy spring of Mata Khir Bhawani Lord Shiva left his ride, Nandi - the bull at Pahalgam and pro- Sheshnag is the next pit stop where the pilgrims take a dip website also contains the application form and state-wise list temple located in Ganderbal district. It is believed that the colour ceeded towards the Holy cave. The place was known by the into the Holy Spring and stay overnight. It is believed that by of Bank Branches with complete addresses which the Yatris of the spring changes if any untoward incident is about to hap- name of Bel Gaon and with the passage of time is being known taking an ablution in the holy spring of Sheshnag, the sins are can approach for registering themselves for this year’s pilgrim- pen as a premonition of an impending doom. The recent as Pahalgam. forgiven. It is believed that Lord Shiva dropped his Sheshnag age. impending indication was seen last year in the month of June Halt stations (Padav) enroute to Swami Amarnath ji from here in the spring while proceeding towards the Holy Cave. The (The author is Media & Communications Officer, PIB Jammu) A place of shrines and scenic spots Romesh Mengi alik hills and is 13 kms from base camp cent waterfall, Siarh Baba is situated spots where the people would love to Katra .