THE PILGRIMAGE OF SHRI AMARNATH SHRINE

Amarnath Yatra: Quest for Peace & Harmony

- ■DR V.K MAGOTRA

The unflinching faith of devotees towards Shri Amarnath Shrine for bestowing peace & harmony to the Universe has once again embarked upon as part of the annual feature of Kashmir Valley.

Unfazed with the tragedy of Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocent people were killed by terrorists in April,2025,the pilgrims with undeterred spirits are all set to undertake Shri Amarnath Yatra for purifying the mind, mutual love& brotherhood. Enchanting, Bum BumBhole, Har Har Mahadev, pilgrims in theircolourful dresses, saints, including genders have started pouring in large nos. in Jammu-the city of temples for their onward journey to Baba Burfani nowadays.

The pilgrimageof Shri Amarnath Shrine commenced from 3rd of July 2025, is indeed an amazing, adventurous and arduous endeavour of J&K Union Territory.The enchanting Amarnath cave is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites of Hindus.Situated at a height of 12756 feet above sea level in Lidder valley, Amarnath cave is considered one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva. Notwithstanding the constraints 4 to 5lakhs pilgrims are expected to throng at the site of Amaranth cave to have a glimpse of snow formed, "SHIVLING" a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva this season. The formation of Shivling from melting of icefrom the roof of the cave to the floor is perhaps unprecedented in whole of universe where people all across the world turn up to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. This year the pilgrimage would be of 38days duration starting from the auspicious occasion of SKANDASASHI and will conclude on 9th August 2025 coinciding with Shravan Purnima &Raksha Bandhan.