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JAMMU AND KASHMIR, June 30, 2003. Set amidst rocky terrain and picturesque pine trees, the sacred cave shrine of Lord Siva in Chandanwari hills of South Kashmir is all set to redefine the annual Amarnath Yatra with the Jammu and Kashmir Government making efforts to open it for pilgrims this year.



“Work on the construction of metaled foot path to the 4,000-meters-high, three-mouthed cave shrine is going on a war footing, and efforts are on to open it for pilgrims this year,” Minister of State for Tourism Gulam Ahmed Mir said here today. The cave temple complex is surrounded by thick birch trees, and comprises three caves, all dedicated to Lord Siva. Located just above the tree line, the main Siva statue is sculpted from black marble and is two feet high. On both sides of Lord Siva’s murthi are nearly a dozen lingams.



The contents of the third cave continues to be a “mystery” due to darkness within, according to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Parvez Dewan, who along with a shepherd, Haji Mohammed Rafique Bocken, discovered it two years ago. He pointed out that Amarnath Yatra pilgrims could have been using this route years back however, topographical changes may have later blocked it. He said the recent rediscovery of the Hapatgandh and Shiv Marg has given a new dimension to the belief that the Amarnath Yatra dates back to even before 1750 A.D. “We want people to know about this cave. Devotees can visit this shrine nearly eight to nine months a year, and this could help alleviate the problem of unemployment in the area,” the commissioner said.

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