Devi Sati’s neck fell here and the idols are Devi as MahaMaya (the great Illusion) and Shiva as Trisandhyasvar. The famous pilgrimage is Amarnath. There is a Shiva Linga of glacial ice which expands and contracts with the seasons.

Devi Parvati as Maha Maya

Devi Parvati as Maha Maya

Located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and situated on Mount Amarnath, the Amarnath caves are one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism. Dedicated to the God Shiva, the shrine is said to be over 5,000 years old. The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism. Sri Amarnath Gufa is in Kashmir, India and to reach there from Srinagar through Pahalgam 94 km by Bus, Chandanwari 16 km by walk.

Amarnaath Ice Shiva Ling

Amarnaath Ice Shiva Ling

Amarnath Barfani

Amarnath Barfani

Jai Baba Amarnaath Barfani

Jai Baba Amarnaath Barfani

 

Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath

Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath

Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice stalagmite resembling the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This Lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival. According to some Hindus, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Maa Parvati. Two other ice formations represent Parvati and Shiva’s son, Ganesha.

Devi MahaMaya

Devi MahaMaya

According another beliefs it is said that after the death of Devi Sati, Lord Shiva led an austere life. But Devi Sati took birth was again born as Parvati as the daughter of Himavan. Knowing about her previous life as Devi Sati, Parvati began severe tapas to please and unite with Shiva again at Amarnath Gufa due to the reason known as the holiest Shakti Peetha. By the holiness of this cave all human dosha of Devi Parvati vanishes & She gets Her pure form as Mahamaya.

The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft), about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The Central Reserve Police Force, Indian Army and Indian Paramilitary Forces maintain a strong presence in the region due to security concerns.

Maha Maya Temple Jammu

According to some people, it is the Maha Maya temple located at about 5 K.m from Jammu on the by-pass road, behind Bahu Fort, near river Tawi. This temple is dedicated to Mahamaya of Dogra decent, who lost her life fourteen centuries ago fighting foreign invaders. The present temple of Bawey Wali Mata was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh, in 1822. It is also known as the temple of Mahakali and the Goddess is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power.

Bawey Wali Mata