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| Temples
Of India |
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AMARNATH
(The
Waxing and waning Sivalinga of Amarnath) |
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Origin
of the snow linga
Once, as the story goes; a Muslim shepherd by name Buta Malik was
given a sack of coal by' a sadhu out of love for his pious living.
When opened it in the house that night he found the coal pieces be
gold. Over joyed Muslim went to the spot to thank him for the
fortune given. But he found a cave, when went inside, and found the
snow linga. He started worshipping it with great fervor, thinking
that Siva alone conferred that fervor. And others followed him for
bliss and fortune. In course of time it became a place of
pilgrimage. As it was discovered and popularised by him, his
descendants are given a percentage of donations even today. The
pilgrims carry with them the white substance deposited on the bank
of Amaraganga, for they believe that by smearing it on their bodies,
it protects them from severe cold and other skin diseases. They name
it Amara Vibhuti. During their stay lasting for hours, they observe
white pigeons flying about and they instantly bow to them
considering them as Siva and Parvathi in the form of birds.
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