The Cave Where the Secrets of Universe Unfolded: Amarnath Cave Shrine

Amarnath Cave Shrine near Srinagar, India, is one of the most well-known Shiva temples in India. At a height of approximately 12,760 feet above the sea, the Amarnath Cave is one of the four major pilgrimages of India. It is no regular temple, rather, its structure, history, and significance have bewildered and amazed people for centuries.

Amarnath Cave, a place of high significance and importance to Hindu devotees is located in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. It takes a long trek from South Kashmir or the ranges of the Himalayas to reach the holy Shrine. The place is surrounded by mountains and ice all over the years, hence reaching the Amarnath Cave is no easy feat. However, during summer, the weather is a bit favourable to reach the Amarnath Shrine. Hence, it is only during July and August, that the Shrine is open to devotees.

Amarnath cave is believed to be the holy place where Lord Shiva descended on earth and told the story of life and death and the creation of the universe to his consort, goddess Parvati. The story is known as Amar Katha. The cave has a tall ice lingam that is worshipped by devotees from all over the world and it is the symbol that marks the presence of Lord Shiva in the cave. 

To reveal the secrets of the Universe to Maa Parvati, Lord Shiva set out to search a secluded place and found the cave hidden in the ranges of the Himalayas. The cave today is known as Amarnath Cave. Further, to ensure the secrets were heard by no one, he left all his belongings at locations farther from the cave.

Lord Shiva’s ride Nandi was left at Pahalgam village, the moon that adorns his head was left at Chandanwari, his son Ganesha was left at Mahagunas, and his snake was left at the bank of river Sheshnag. Lord Shiva also left behind all the five elements, air, water, fire, earth, and sky, to ensure no one can carry the secrets anywhere from the caves. Lord Shiva even created a fire surrounding the cave using Kalagni Rudra to ensure no living creature could enter the cave. However, an egg of a pigeon that was present in the cave beforehand, remained in the cave. 

Later, a pair of pigeons was born out of those eggs that are believed to be immortal as they heard the story of the creation of the universe. Various pilgrims have reported viewing a pair of pigeons during their trek to Amarnath Cave. All the locations where Lord Shiva left his belongings are of high significance to Hindu devotees and are worshipped even today.

Later, a shepherd called Buta Malik discovered the cave and legends believed that it was Lord Shiva himself who led the shepherd to the cave. Buta Malik received a bag of coal from a saint at the location where Amarnath Cave is located today. Upon reaching the home with a bag of coal, Buta Malik opened the bag and he found gold instead of coals. To thank the saint for the gold, he visited the place again, only this time, he found the great ice Shiva Lingam there. 

Since then, the place has been believed to be sacred and a pilgrimage to Lord Shiva.