AMARNATH YATRA: OVERVIEW, HISTORY, TEMPLE, AND BELIEFS Avondale

The history of Amarnath Yatra can be traced back to the 15th century when a Muslim shepherd, Buta Malik, discovered the Amarnath Cave. Buta Malik was given a bag of coal by a Sadhu, who turned out to be Lord Shiva in disguise. When Buta Malik reached home and opened the bag, he found it full of gold coins. He went back to the cave and tried to find the Sadhu, but instead, he found the Amarnath Cave and the ice lingam (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) inside.

The pilgrimage to the Amarnath Temple started in the 19th century when a Kashmiri Pandit Mahadev Kaul discovered the cave again. He wrote about his experience in a book called Rajtarangini. The book became popular, and people started visiting the cave to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

The Amarnath Yatra was officially started in 1934 by the Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh. The pilgrimage was closed during the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, but it was reopened in 1949 after the intervention of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first home minister.

Over the years, the Amarnath Yatra has become one of the most popular pilgrimages in India. In 2019, over 3 lakh pilgrims visited the cave. The pilgrimage starts in the month of Shravan (July-August) and lasts for about 45 days. The trek to the cave is arduous, and pilgrims have to face harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain. However, the devotion of the pilgrims keeps them going.

The Amarnath Yatra has faced several challenges over the years. In 1995, terrorists attacked a group of pilgrims, killing six people. Security has been tightened since then, and the government has taken several measures to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

In 2019, the government of India took the decision to curtail the Amarnath Yatra due to security reasons and the prevailing law and order situation in the region. This decision was met with mixed reactions, with some people supporting it and others opposing it.

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