amarna:th
(Amarnath Cave, over 12,000 feet above sea level) is a Hindu place of
pilgrimage which is visited by thousands of devoted Hindus every year. It is
eighty-seven miles from Srinagar. The
(cave) is at the top of the snow-clad mountain, and below it there is a
small stream called .
It is claimed that a
(Skt. lingam) made of ice can be found inside the cave. The most
important day of pilgrimage is
. One passes through extremely picturesque and breathtaking scenery on the
way to the .
There are several legends about this cave.
A
is a stretcher or litter carried by two to four men. Usually it is
used to carry women and inf.mp3 pilgrims to the amarna:th
cave (see HJ pp. 659-661).
A
is a holy man, often one who has completely renounced the world. The amarna:th
temple attracts a large number of such people.
A
is the phallus-like representation of Lord Shiva. The
made of stone may be found in every Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The
Shankracharya Temple is one of these.
(Hindi )
is the day of the full moon in the month of
(Hindi ).
Chapter
29
