The Mysteries of Amarnath Cave
The holy cave in Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir is a renowned pilgrimage destination. Every year, thousands of Hindus make their way to Amarnath to worship Lord Shiva, who supposedly dwells in the Amarnath cave. This is known as the Amarnath Yatra, and many pilgrims even make this arduous journey every year. They not only face the threat of terrorist attacks but also have to deal with high-altitude sickness that can be fatal.
The snow Shivling found in the Amarnath cave is regarded as a divine miracle. Adding to the wonder is the fact that one can find a pair of pigeons, too, in this cave that is immortal and has supposedly existed here for many centuries.
Legends behind the Amarnath Pigeons
There are many interesting stories about the Amarnath pigeons. One story says that once, Lord Shiva was dancing at night when his Ganas began chanting the word ‘Kuru-Kuru’ due to the jealousy that prevailed between them. Shiva cursed them when they kept repeating the word ‘Kuru-Kuru’ for a long time. The Ganas then turned into pigeons and began to live in the cave permanently.
It is a wonder that these pigeons have been able to survive in a place that is low in oxygen and lacks food and water. Devotees believe that the pigeons are actually Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati, themselves.
The Legend of Amar Katha
Another legend says that once Parvati asked Shiva the secret behind the garland of Narmund (severed human heads/skulls) that lay around his neck. (Narmund or Mundamala represents the continuous creation and destruction cycles of human existence). Lord Shiva replied that every time Parvati took birth, he would add a head to the Narmund around his neck.
Parvati asked him, “Lord, I die many times, and my body also gets destroyed. But you are immortal. How is it possible? Please tell me the secret behind this.” Shiva replied that he owed his immortality to Amar Katha (story of immortality) and that whoever knew it would become immortal. Parvati insisted on knowing the story. But Shiva explained that the story was a secret, and no one knew it. Even the Gods did not know about the story. So when their virtues get depleted, they have to forego their position and take rebirth to gain the lost virtues. Only the Trimurtis (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) knew the sacred story and were immortal.
But Parvati’s curiosity only increased, and she kept on insisting that Shiva should tell her the story. Though Shiva assured her that he would tell her the Amar Katha one day, she wanted to know it immediately. So, Shiva found a secluded place where no living being could listen to the story when he narrated it. This place was Amarnath Cave.
On the way to the cave, Shiva left Nandi, the Bull which was his mount, at Pahalgam (Bail Gaon). It is from this place that the Amarnath Yatra begins.
At Chandanwari, he released the Moon from his hair. He left the snakes that adorned his neck and body on the banks of Lake Sheshnag. This is supposedly how the lake got its name. At Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Mountain), he left his son, Lord Ganesha. At Panchtarni, he left behind the five elements- Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Sky. Then, to symbolize his sacrificing the earthly world, he performed the Tandava Dance. Finally, he entered the Amarnath Cave along with Parvati. Then he took his Samadhi on a deer skin. He also started a fire all around the cave so that nobody could enter the cave and listen to the story.
Shiva began to narrate the story to Parvati, but she fell asleep as the story was very long. Also, she was tired after the journey. Unaware of this, Shiva continued the story. In the cave were two white pigeons who were also listening to the story. They were making cooing sounds, and Shiva thought it was Parvati who was making the sounds. Thus, both the pigeons became privy to the secret of immortality unbeknownst to Shiva.
Finally, the story came to an end. It was then that Shiva noticed that Parvati was asleep, He looked around to see who was making the cooing sounds. On seeing the two pigeons in the cave, he realized what had happened and became angry. He tried to kill them as they knew the secret. But the pigeons pointed out that if he killed them, then his story would be proved a lie. So Shiva spared their lives and gave them a boon that they would live in the cave forever as the symbols of Shiva and Parvati.
This is the fascinating story behind the two immortal Amarnath pigeons.
Leave a Reply