Baba Amarnath Yatra – Know the Story, Precautions to Take During the Journey

As every year, the Amarnath Yatra is beginning this time too. From July 3, the group of devotees of Baba Barfani will start their journey. Every devotee desires to have darshan of Baba Amarnath to fulfill their wishes so that their life’s miseries, sorrows, diseases, and faults can vanish. With Shiva’s grace, they can attain salvation. A famous legend is associated with the sacred cave of Baba Amarnath. That legend explains how Lord Bholenath revealed the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati.

The Story of Baba Amarnath

A story from the Shiva Purana reveals the secret of the Baba Amarnath cave. One day, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva why he is immortal while she has to take birth repeatedly and perform intense penance for years to attain him as her husband. Why must she go through such difficult tests to receive him? What is the secret of his immortality? Lord Shiva did not want to reveal the secret of immortality, but upon Parvati’s insistence, he agreed. He chose the secluded and peaceful Amarnath cave to share this secret only with Goddess Parvati.

To reach that cave, Lord Shiva even renounced his five elements. He lit fire around the cave so that Nandi, Kartikeya, Ganesha, or any animal or bird could not enter. After that, he began telling the story of immortality.
While Lord Mahadev started narrating the story, Goddess Parvati fell asleep during it. Lord Shiva did not notice her falling asleep. Two pigeons were listening to the story and were making sounds of acknowledgment. Lord Bholenath thought that Parvati was listening to the story.

When the narration ended, Lord Bholenath noticed that Goddess Parvati was asleep. Then he wondered who had listened to the story. When he looked around, he saw two pigeons present there. Lord Shiva became angry, and the pigeons started pleading for forgiveness.

They said, “O Mahadev! We have listened to the story. If you kill us, the story will become untrue. Please guide us.” Then Lord Shiva said, “From today, you both will reside here as symbols of Shiva and Shakti.”
Since then, the pigeon pair attained immortality. Due to this entire legend, the cave is called Amarnath Cave, and the story is called the Amarkatha. According to religious beliefs, people often spot a pair of pigeons there.

How to Perform Baba Amarnath Worship at Home

Bathe in the morning and wear clean clothes. Then clean the worship place properly. After that, install the sacred image of the ice Shiva Lingam of Baba Amarnath there.
If you don’t have a picture of Baba Amarnath, don’t worry. Install the images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Offer flowers, rice, Bel leaves, sandalwood, incense, lamp, fragrance, sugar, etc., to Baba Barfani. While doing so, keep chanting the Shiva Panchakshar mantra “Om Namah Shivaya.”
Then recite Shiva Chalisa, Parvati Chalisa, and the story of Baba Amarnath. After that, perform Baba Amarnath’s Aarti using a ghee lamp. You may also use camphor if desired.
After concluding the worship, meditate upon Baba Amarnath or Amreshwar Shiva Lingam and express your wishes to him. With Lord Shiva’s grace, your wishes will come true.