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| The Amarnathji Shrine: A holy heritage and an enduring legacy | | | Jasbir Sarai | 6/28/2011 8:06:44 PM |
| The Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora, flagged of the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra from Amarnath Base camp at Bagwatinagar Yatri Niwas in the early hours of June, 28. The first batch of 2,096 devotees comprised of 1,369 males, 421 females, 110 children and 196 Sadhus. They will have the honour of concluding their Dashan by June, 29. The avoidable issues regarding the date when the Yatra was to begin have, fortunately, been left behind and now all efforts are now directed towards ensuring a smooth run of the event. The pilgrimage has, as always, evoked a tremendous response and as many as 2.30 lakh pilgrims have been registered at various centers and online counters across the country. In a significant decision, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has facilitated on the spot registration of pilgrims at the Yatri Niwas, Canal Road, Jammu itself. This will facilitate such persons who have not been able to register online or with designated branches of various banks, also perform the Yatra. Each day 10,000 pilgrims will be sent to perform the pilgrimage, 5,000 each from forward base camps of Nunwan and Baltal. The pilgrimage will culminate on August, 13, the auspicious day of Raksha Bandan.
It is believed that holy cave of Amarnathji is the place where lord Shiva narrated the Amar Katha to Godess Parvati. An ice lingam that forms over here every year during the period of the Yatra has been worshipped by devotees since ages. The holy cave is located at a height of 13,500 feet on the head of the Sind Valley in Kashmir, flanked on the north by the great Himalayan range and in the south by the Sasakat mountain range. It lies beside a small tributary of the Sind River called Amaravati. This 5000-year-old traditional pilgrimage is emotionally and spiritually so overwhelming that all the physical discomforts of the treacherous route or the adverse weather conditions fail to dampen the devotees flocking to the Holy cave. Even the turmoil of militancy has not diluted the importance of the Amarnathji Yatra in the minds of the devotees who go for the pilgrimage with complete disregard to personal security. The number of aspirants for the pilgrimage has always been more what the Government can allow due to security reasons and time constraints.
For ages, a Muslim Malik family had been in charge of pilgrims. The family members were responsible for keeping the track in order, escorting the pilgrims, carrying the sick ones and ensuring that nothing is stolen. In fact, the Muslim population of the region has always remained unmoved in its faith and devotion to the shrine. It has willingly risked the ire and reprisal of terrorists and, along with the Hindus, participated in the pilgrimage with great fervour. Hotels, shops, pack ponies, porters and all other related services gear up to welcome the pilgrims. A festive air is visible in the area. The guides and porters of both communities are equally conversant which they narrate to the pilgrims while assisting them in covering the route. Anybody requiring assistance finds hundreds of hands extended towards him, without knowing whether the hand belongs to a Hindu or a Muslim.
The security forces deployed in the area also participate in the pilgrimage with utmost enthusiasm and energy. Army units, in conjunction with BSF, CRPF and personnel of J&K Police, endure the adverse terrain and weather conditions to put up an exhaustive security umbrella for the pilgrimage. This is by itself a herculean task since it involves ensuring a safe passage from Jammu right up to the holy cave and back. Normal Army deployments are boosted with teams of Para Commandoes, IED and bomb disposal squads, detachments of Army dogs, Army Aviation Helicopters etc.
The Army has evolved a legacy of its own in the conduct of the holy pilgrimage. Apart from ensuring security it provides a number of facilities that help ease the vagaries of the pilgrimage. Army patrols along the route help in bringing in stragglers to the nearest camp every evening especially during bad weather conditions and assist in evacuation of casualties for which Army Aviation Helicopters are kept on standby duty. Medical and veterinary detachments man medical camps to cater for health related problems. Signal companies are deployed to provide communication facilities, which are invaluable during situation of emergencies like accidents and locating of missing personnel, a common occurrence during the Yatra. The Army puts in place infrastructure for disaster management that includes Arctic tents and cold weather clothing, blankets etc.
The pilgrimage to Amarnathji is a source of pride and joy for every Kashmiri and its successful conduct is a personal achievement for one and all in J&K. The Amarnathji shrine is a symbol of harmony and religious tolerance that epitomises the true spirit of Kashmiriyat. The annual pilgrimage is a reflection of this spirit. Against this backdrop, it is most unfortunate that due to the machinations of some foreign sponsored vested interests, a shrine that has been revered by both Hindus and Muslims for centuries, has, in the recent past, been dragged into unseemly controversies. It has been subject to a campaign of misinformation meant to exploit the sentiments of the people with a singular aim of fructifying personal political ambitions. Even more painful is the fact that those very people who risk their lives for the sake of their belief fall prey to the evil designs of vested interests. The holy cave is a historical heritage of the region and the pilgrimage is the most apt recognition of this priceless legacy. Both need to be preserved at all costs. It is time for the people of the region to take a firm resolve that they will not allow their faith to be destroyed by inimical forces. |
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