The Mystery Of The Amarnath Cave Pigeons: Thousands of devotees visit the Amarnath Cave every year. This is considered one of the most sacred pilgrimages among Hindus. This year, the Amarnath Yatra is beginning from July 3rd. This holiest shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. What stands out the most about the cave is the ice Shivling (Baba Barfani), which is believed to have formed due to the freezing of ice water droplets falling from the roof to the floor.
According to Hindu religious belief, the size of the Shiva lingam at Amarnath Cave increases and decreases with the different phases of the moon. But there is no scientific evidence to support this belief.
However, there is another mystery related to this cave. Many pilgrims believe that a pair of pigeons has been living here for centuries. It is considered highly auspicious when you spot them on your way to the Amarnath Yatra, as it is believed to remove all the sins of devotees.
According to Hindu religious belief, the size of the Shiva lingam at Amarnath Cave increases and decreases (Image:Facebook/babaamarnthbarfani)
Significance Of Amarnath Yatra And How The Pigeons Become Immortal
According to legends, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva about the secrets of his immortality and the formation of the universe. To narrate the Amar Katha, Lord Shiva searched for an isolated place so that no living being could hear it.
During his search, he finally found an empty cave. However, to reach there, he had to leave all his worldly possessions. He left his bull Nandi at Pahalgam, his Moon at Chandanwari, his snake at the banks of Lake Sheshnag, his son Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat and at Panjtarni, he left his five elements (Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Sky).
To further make sure that not even a single living being could hear the secret Amar Katha, he also created a sacred fire ( Kalagni Rudra) around them.
After this, Lord Shiva entered that cave with Goddess Parvati, sat on the deer skin and started narrating the Amar Katha. Thus, the name of the cave ‘Amarnath’ was derived.
What Went Wrong?
When the Amar Katha came to an end, Lord Shiva noticed that Goddess Parvati had fallen asleep, but two pigeons were there listening to his story. Lord Shiva got furious and was about to kill them when the pigeons pointed out that if he killed them, then his story would be proved wrong.
Hearing this, Lord Shiva decided to spare their lives and gave them a boon that they would live here in the cave forever as the symbols of Shiva and Parvati.
The Mystery Of The Amarnath Cave Pigeons (Image:Gemini AI)
While in another version of this tale, it is said that under the deerskin in which Lord Shiva was sitting, a pair of eggs hatched. This pair listened to the whole story and became immortal.
Spiritual Meaning Behind The Pigeons
Remove Sins: These pigeons are believed to be the symbol of eternal life as they learned the secret of immortality. Devotees believe whoever spots these pigeons in the cave is blessed by the divine and their sins are washed away.
Purity and innocence: Lord Shiva, seeing their innocence, blessed them with immortality, conveying the message that clear intentions and a good heart can help a devotee to attain divine grace.
Amarnath Cave and the mysteries behind the immortal pigeons continue to fascinate devotees even today.