History of Amarnath Cave - The Amarnath cave is a popular tourist destination in India. It’s an important religious site, and it’s also one of the most visited caves in the world. In fact, it sees over two million visitors each year! The cave is located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Amarnath shrine is one of the most sacred shrines in Hinduism. It was built undoubtedly long before the 11th century AD, and it has been worshipped since antiquity by Hindus.
There are references to the legendary king Aryaraja who used to worship a Shiva-lingam, ice stalagmite at Amarnath in Kashmir, circa 300 BC. There are further references to this pilgrimage in many other ancient texts.
There have been claims that Amarnath Mandir and the Amarnath Yatra was forgotten for ages and rediscovered.
Although the existence of the Holy Cave has been mentioned in the Puranas, it is believed that the importance of this revered shrine lost its place in the memories of people in the Middle Ages and was completely forgotten.
According to Bhrigu Purana, Amarnath Gufa was first discovered by Maharishi Bhrigu. The Kashmir valley is said to have been submerged underwater for a long time.
Kashyap Muni drained the water by channeling it through rivers and rivulets. Maharishi Bhrigu was on his way to the Himalayas when he spotted Amarnath Cave. He was the first person to have darshan of the sacred lingam, Lord Amarnath. Since then, people visit Amarnath Cave to worship Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.
Another version which talks about Amarnath Cave being discovered by a Gujjar shepherd named Buta Malik. According to folklore, Buta Malik rediscovered Amarnath Cave in the 15th century.
The legend says that Buta Malik was given a bag of coal by a sage. Upon reaching home, the shepherd opened the bag and to his surprise, it was a bag full of gold coins! Overjoyed, he ran back to meet the sage to thank him.
To his utter amazement, the sage had disappeared and instead, he found the holy cave and the ice Shiv Lingam instead. He announced this discovery to the villagers and thus the sacred pilgrimage of Amarnath began once again.
However, many people do not accept this version of the rediscovery as the Bhrigu Purana was written thousands of years back.
These legends of Amarnath Gufa Temple make it a significant structure in Hinduism and one of the most revered shrines of Lord Shiva.
What is the story behind Amarnath cave?
At Panjtarni, Shiva left behind the five elements - Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky. As a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world, Shiva performed the Tandava Dance. Then, finally, Shiva entered the Amarnath Cave along with Parvati and both of them manifested into a Lingam made of ice.
Who invented Amarnath cave?
However, exactly how the cave was discovered is unknown. One legend says that a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik once met a saint who gave him a bag of coal, which turned into gold once Buta Malik reached his home. Overwhelmed by this miracle he went back to find the saint and discovered the cave instead.
What is inside Amarnath cave?
The cave is a holy place for Hindu pilgrims, because of its ice content. The ice pillar present inside the cave is also called ice lingham, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. Two smaller ice stalagmite represent Parvati, his wife, and Ganesha, his son.
Who found Shivling in Amarnath?
However, exactly how the cave was discovered is unknown. One legend says that a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik once met a saint who gave him a bag of coal, which turned into gold once Buta Malik reached his home. Overwhelmed by this miracle he went back to find the saint and discovered the cave instead.
