The Amarnath Cave is believed to have been first discovered by the sage Bhrigu, as the Kashmir valley was previously underwater and was drained by the sage Kashyapa. After Bhrigu's discovery, the cave became an important site of pilgrimage for Hindus, as it is considered the abode of Lord Shiva.
According to legend, Lord Shiva is said to have revealed the secret of immortality to his consort Parvati in the Amarnath Cave. Shiva is believed to have left various symbolic offerings on his way to the cave, such as Nandi the bull at Pahalgam, the moon from his hair at Chandanwari, and the five elements of nature at Panchtarni.
The cave and the ice Shiva Lingam formed within it have been mentioned in ancient Hindu texts like the Rajatarangini and Ain-i-Akbari. Pilgrimages to the site have been recorded since the 11th century CE.
In modern times, the Amarnath Yatra is organized annually by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, with thousands of devotees undertaking the challenging trek to the cave shrine located at an altitude of 3,888 meters. However, the yatra has faced disruptions in recent years due to natural disasters like flash floods.
The Amarnath Cave and the annual pilgrimage hold immense religious significance for Hindus, who believe that visiting the site and having darshan of the ice Shiva Lingam can bring spiritual enlightenment and blessings.
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