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New Amarnath cave to be opened for pilgrims

JAMMU JUNE 30. Set amidst rocky terrain and picturesque pine trees, the sacred cave shrine of Lord Shiva in Chandanwari hills of South Kashmir is all set to redefine the annual Amarnath Yatra with the J&K Government making efforts to through it open for pilgrims this year.

"Work of construction of metalled foot path to 4000 metres high three-mouthed cave shrine is going on war footing and efforts are on to open it for pilgrims this year,'' Minister of State for Tourism Gulam Ahmed Mir said here today.

The cave temple complex surrounded by thick birch trees, comprises of three in-built caves all dedicated to Lord Shiva in a nine feet area of white stones.

Located just above a tree line of picturesque landscape and sheltered by the golden leaves of the trees, main Shiva statue in black marble is two feet high and is sculptured of a big rock in the cave. On the two sides of Lord Shiva's idol, there are nearly a dozen small and big lingas.

The contents of the third inside cave continue to be a ``mystery'' due to darkness within, according to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Parvez Dewan, who along with a shepherd, Haji Mohammad Rafique Bocken, discovered it two years ago.

He pointed out that Amarnath Yatra pilgrims could have been using this route years back. However, topographical changes might have later blocked it, he added.

He said the recent rediscovery of the Hapatgandh and Shiv Marg has given a new dimension to the belief that the Amarnath Yatra dates back to even before 1750 A.D.

"We want people to know about this cave. Devotees can visit this shrine nearly eight to nine months a year and this could help alleviate the problem of unemployment in the area", the commissioner said.

PTI

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