Amid tight security, the 48-day long annual Amarnath yatra began in Jammu two days ago. As the state of Jammu and Kashmir is reeling under increased terrorist incidents and attacks on security forces, its a huge challenge to the security apparatus in ensuring a peaceful and incident-free Amarnath yatra. Drones are being used for aerial security of the Amarnath base camp, and great security has been deployed along the routes. The two batchs of pilgrims including Shaivaite sadhus, left in a convoy escorted by CRPF personnel from Base camp to have Darshan of Baba Amarnath Ji. Chanting 'Bam Bam Bhole', the pilgrims have proceeded today to the cave shrine, located at a height of approximately 4000m.
Baba Amarnath temple is a 150 feet high and 90 feet long cave located nearly 145 km east of Srinagar. Located in a Himalayan glacial valley at a height of approximately 4,000m the cave has four ice formations, which are considered figurines of different gods. The biggest figure is regarded as that of Lord Shiva. On the left side of the lingam there is an ice formation that is considered to be Lord Ganesha. Similarly, formations representing Maa Parvati and Bhairava are on the right side of the ice lingam. These formations are ice stalagmites, which wax during May to August and gradually wane thereafter. Legend has it that the lingam grows and shrinks with the phases of the moon, reaching its maximum height (more than 6 feet) on the full moon day of Shravan (Rakshabandhan day). Its believed that Lord Shiva first appeared in the cave on this day.
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