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Amarnath Yatra 2022 start date and documents needed for participation: Check out the details of the annual pilgrimage

Lord Shiva devotees take part in an annual pilgrimage called Amarnath Yatra. And this year, it will commence in June-end. Read on to know the start and end dates and the documents you need to take part in it.

Updated Jun 15, 2022, 11:25 IST

Amarnath Yatra 2022. Pic credit: istockphoto

The annual Amarnath Yatra 2022, which sees an ocean of Lord Shiva devotees from all walks of life, will commence soon. This year, the Yatra will begin on June 30 and conclude on August 11. Ahead of the same, the Jammu and Kashmir government has issued the guidelines for the pilgrimage so that devotees who wish to visit the holy shrine of Barfani Baba can prepare for it.

As per the latest guideline, a pilgrim would be required to mandatorily produce their Aadhaar card, failing which they would be denied participation. Therefore, devotees need to furnish their Aadhaar details to go for the pilgrimage.

Furthermore, besides other basic facilities like accommodation, the administration shall install mobile laboratories for pilgrims, hospitals or sick animals, take effective sanitization steps, and adopt waste management programmes, reports suggest.

Know more about the Amarnath Yatra and the sacred site

The Amarnath cave, about 40 m (130 ft) high, is located at over 3,880m (roughly 12,750 ft) above sea level in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This Yatra also includes other holy sites of great significance.

Belief suggests that Lord Shiva left behind his Nandi (the bull) at Bail Gaon (now known as Pahalgam). At Chandanwari, he released the crescent from his matted locks and left his snakes at the banks of the lake Shesh Nag and his son Ganesha at the Mahaguna Parvat.

And the Panchtarni is the place where Mahadev released the five elements - Agni (fire), Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Akash (space) and Vayu (air).

Interestingly, the Amarnath cave is home to the self-created Shiva Linga made of snow (ice stalagmite); hence, Lord Shiva is referred to as Baba Barfani here.

It is said that the Shiva Linga made of snow during the summer months expands and contracts in size as the moon waxes and wanes. Interestingly, Goddess Parvati's and Lord Ganesha's ice formations can also be found here. Furthermore, the Amarnath is also a Shakti Peeth. This is the place where the throat and anklet of Mata Sati fell. Therefore, it is of great significance for the devotees of Shakti (Goddess Durga).

Over and above, it is believed to be the site where Lord Shiva explained the fundamental essence of life and immortality to Goddess Parvati.

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