Blessed with Amarnath Yatra in July 2024 with darshan of Baba Barfani in divine energy form
- in eternal aum consciousness
- Jul 12, 2024
- 16 min read
Updated: Jul 13, 2024
Planning:
Looking at the dates, I decided to extend the stay after the samyama kashmir retreat, with an intent to go for amarnath yatra. It's a rare coincidence, as the yatra is open for only approximately 45 days a year.
A childhood dream:
I was always fascinated by this yatra, right from the time I was in school. it is one of the toughest to perform. The climb, the weather, the far away location, everything here is a designed to keep the crowd away!
Only the devotees who are truly aligned, get a calling from baba, to attempt this yatra. This became clear on the yatra day, as some could not take darshan even when they reached the cave! Read on to know more...
Baba amarnath:
When I was planning the yatra, I saw the pictures of baba amarnath, and it instantly reminded me of the start of shiv Manas Puja, one of the three foundations of my study, the other two being Nirvanashatakam and mandukya upanishad.
Ratnaih kalpita manasam, hima jalaihi, snanam cha divyambaram...
Meaning: In the mind, I imagine Shiva, decked with jewels, taking bath in ice cold water wearing divine clothes. I never imagined that this daily prayer will lead to me amarnath yatra.
Here the jewels are light rays shining on the huge ice shiv lingam and creating the shine and splendor, no other jewel can match. The divine clothes is the cave, open to sky!, surpassing the finest of the fine man made cloth. The ice water that falls on the lingam, giving it a cold bath, also creates it, making it the perfect abhishekam.
Here is the link to entire shiv Manas Puja and it's meaning.
Baba amarnath is the natural formation of shiv linga, larger than any shiv lingam! It's only by divine blessings, that one gets a thought of darshan and it happens.
Flight to Srinagar:
Today, we started late from home. Usually we reach the airport Two hours before the flight time. We almost missed our flight! We made it to the counter five mins before it closed. It was as if things worked just to get us on board, all by lord amarnaths blessings
Listening to mahishasurmardini stotram:
Having changed the mobile recently, my downloads were not readily accessible. Somehow, this was downloaded and ready to play. I just played this in a loop in the entire flight.
All puranas and their recorded history (not mythology, as its a ill intented word crafted by British historians to show their cultural superiority, to enslave us) are symbolic. One has to understand the message, rather getting lost in the story.
Mahisasur represents all the internal undesired qualities, emotions, lack of clarity...and external negative energies, events, people, things. Everything is overcome by this stotra where mardan (finishing or ending or killing) is done. This purification process happened automatically, and a new chapter begins unfolding.
The nds diet system mandates fasting without having water till noon every day. So no business to indigo on the flight for snacks!
Nds diet:
Today I complete one week of new diet system by Amrish Patel of Ahmedabad, which was recommended by my friends parag and hetal from Dubai. Having lost a few kgs already, and off tea and coffee, I have low energy, bp is slightly lower than normal, rather than being high, which was the earlier case. I will share my experience with nds in a seperate blog as see substantial benefits.
Srinagar:
Registration for amarnath yatra:
I just came to know that my uncle's relatives run a langar for the yatris for last 30 years! Close to the baltal base at domail, a base camp near baltal for amarnath baba yatra. They provided invaluable guidance in planning this trip. We decided to do the yatra on foot, as the helicopter was booked way in advance already. Registration was a very smooth experience in Srinagar base camp. The medical, the RFID card, etc was very systematic. We finished the entire process within an hour. The people, the security staff and the shops are very helpful and ever smiling. One only has to reach there with aadhaar card and photos. Rest everything is done there under the guidance of the amarnath shrine board team.
Fresh fruits and vegetables:
Shopping for fresh vegetables and fruits for my nds diet was on the top of the agenda! This was a welcome change from ordering on blinkit! Conversation with the vegetable vendor taught a few lessons in salesmanship. Anyone interested in sales must learn from the street vendors. How they handle negotiation, upsell and cross sell...
Shankaracharya temple:
Visiting the oldest temple in Kashmir, dedicated to lord Shiva was a totally different experience. We had to climb around 300 steps to reach here. It was unusually hot in the afternoon that day. As if the sun was out with its full glory to welcome us to Kashmir!
The trick to climbing is to set a timer of one minute. Climb one minute and rest one minute and then repeat.
It is here that Shankaracharya, our acharya, who's adwaita philosophy is the core of our madhuradwaita sampradaya, the composer of Nirvana shatakam, meditated. There is a small temple dedicated to him near the larger Shiva temple.
A quick darshan at the Shiva temple, where the lingam is very large, followed the breathtaking views of the entire city.
I decided to meditate inside the small cave like structure created at the spot, where acharya meditated. This place having no ventilation, was low on oxygen and high on carbon monoxide, exhaled by everyone who was entering here. Overcoming the thought to get out quickly, i decided to sit here and meditate.
Reciting Nirvanashatakam, his composition, was a different experience altogether. At a place where he did his sadhana.
Just outside the cave, there was a rock, where acharya must have walked on, sat etc. A few moments of stillness, hands touching the rock, to be one with the meditator, the action of meditating and the object on which the meditation was being done... All merged into a single entity. This was adwaita, experienced, with acharyas blessings.
The leftist and British influenced historians have placed adi (the first one) Shankaracharya as around 800 AD. Cleverly implying that, as his times were after the two abhramic prophets, Jesus Christ and Mohammad, the concept of adwaita and nirguna bhrahaman is borrowed from abhrahmic religions! This is simply out of question, as the times of adi Shankaracharya is around 500bc. There are a very detailed book on this topic which is evidence based.
To ascertain a fact, the source of information has to be taken into account. The records of the maths have to be taken as authentic. It is noted that he setup 4 maths and their heads are also named Shankaracharyas. It is a mischief that some of the compositions and commentries by Shankaracharyas (not adi Shankara) are interpreted for dating his times by the historians with vested interests or no understanding of the basic principles. Anyways, this is clear now.
It's now clear that the times of shankacharya were 500 bc and not 800 ad.
shopping for the meditation cap:
After coming from the hill, it was time for some shopping. I remembered thatt It is recommended to wear something on your head when you meditate. When we entered the shop, this cap caught my attention from one of the shelves. Here is the look! It's woolen, so very warm. Looks like ac will be on super chill mode now!
Drive to sonmarg:
We had heard that only BSNL cards work in the area close to the yatra. So we visited bsnl office to get one. And we were told that unless we have two local references, we will not get the sim! We abandoned the effort as local references were not possible and proceeded ahead. I still don't get it that when you have aadhar card, why are two local references needed? Anyways time to move on.
Kashmiri Dumaloo at the dhaba:
The temptation to have this dumaloo by the river, was too much. Bypassing the nds diet, we decided to have a go for it. The sound of the river water flowing next to the place we were having lunch, was simply divine.
Sonmarg:
It's a very small place and we were lucky to book lemontree hotel with the river sindu, to the north of this hotel. An amazing place for meditation and shankhnaad. Regular practise of shankhnaad for the cardio vascular system and nds for digestive system has nailed it for improving my health slowly and steadily.
Shankhnaad system which was envisioned intuitively, is one of the easiest ways to combine breathing, chanting, manifestation, mudras, bandhas and pranayama! All in just 15 minutes for a busy life!
It is recommended that one checksin in at sonmarg the previous day and checks out the next day of the yatra. So two nights and 3 days is ideal.
Sightseeing in sonmarg:
One of the amazing places here for meditation and photography is a park where the waterfall resembles a giant shiv lingam.
Relaxing by the river:
Located a spot near the river, where a round of flavoured hookah and kahwa drink was a must. The deck was damaged recently...to be repaired. The gud gud sound of the hookah and the river water sound was great combination.
Attempt for helicopter ride:
Waking up at 2.30 am, we proceeded to the baltal helipad, to check if any last minute bookings were available. They were not. We instantly decided to go to base camp and proceed in foot.
Tight security:
At every step, we found security checks, rfid card verification etc happening. This was very reassuring.
Finalisation of doli.
Realising the state of fitness we are in and the certainity of not being able to complete the yatra on foot, a horse ride being too uncomfortable, we decided to get a doli for the yatra. It costs 17,000 per person but is worth every rupee. When you get to the cave, you are completely relaxed, aware and not tired at all. That was the key decision point. The horse ride would have costed 4,500 approx, but we are not used to sitting for 8 hours in a day, going up and down on a path on a horse! Walking for an hour in the morning is one thing, but doing a twenty km yatra on foot is another. We saw many people resting, opting for horse and doli etc midway.
The yatra begins:
We started in the morning. The doli payment was made officially to the amaranth yatra board counter. Everywhere there were sign boards, proper arrangements etc. handling a crowd of more than ten thousand people a day is not easy at all in the hills!
Shiva everywhere:
During the yatra, was listening to the playlist i have created especially for lord Shiva. One after the other, the list played on. Some serene, some devotional, some rocking with Shiva! Here is the playlist!
The doli:
This is nothing but a chair tired to two bamboos! And lifted by 4 people. That's all! The people who lift the doli, keep shifting the load from one shoulder to other with a shhhh, sound, their internal signal! The risky part of the doli is the fact that when lifted, it is at a height of the newly installed railing on the yatra route. A slip by any of the 4 lifters can topple the doli and send you down in a gorge, thousands of feet below, never to be seen again. This was a calculated risk and the best possible option. So went ahead! Sleeping in the doli is not recommended, as one has to be alert. There are no seat belts either! The chairs are old and one of them broke and had to be replaced!
Beyond Six Sigma:
The reliability of the doli exceeds six Sigma!. So many dolis, so many lifters, so many steps! 1000 dolis x 4 lifters x 45 days x 10 miles x 2 steps per feet x 1000 feet per mile comes to 3.6 billion steps! And almost no mishaps! Amazing. It's all by sheer devotion, commitment and blessing of baba barfani.
The floods in 2022:
There was a disaster in amarnath in 2022, due to a cloudburst and people got washed away!
Himalayas is mud and rocks and unstable. In rains, it becomes even more dangerous. On the route to we saw some precariously hanging rocks, with warning boards near them. Luckily there was no rain when we climbed and came back.
First stop domail:
Navigating the road, proceeded to the domail base camp, where Mr vaidya and Mr khatavkar were waiting for us. With a small chat, that we would meet them in the way back, the yatra continued.
At every halt, the doli carriers got whatever food they wanted, rotis, bananas, tea, maggie. Most of them come from far off places to earn a livelihood here. Soft spoken and helpful, they were all followers of the Muslim faith, carrying me, a Hindu person on his pilgrimage! Though they were being paid for it, i consider it as a great seva done by them for the almighty. To take the responsibility of taking a person and bringing him back safely! I will be ever grateful to them.
Scenic trek:
The route is very scenic with beautiful nature all along
Reaching the holy cave:
After almost 5 hours of starting the yatra at 6 am, we reached the cave around 11 am. There is a seperate line for doli and a seperate line for people who come on foot. We were lucky to be in the doli line.
The darshan of baba barfani:
The shiv lingam has almost melted due to the heart wave in kashmir this year. However, there were drops of holy water falling randomly on us. The same water that forms the shiv lingam is the same water that forms river sindu that was near our hotel on its north side. We were truly blessed to realise this connection.
The best time to come to yatra is in June as soon as the yatra starts, where the shiv linga is fully formed. But never mind, the lingam is always there in its energy form. Physically, it forms and melts away, just like anything else in nature, including our life, that had a start, a growth and will have an end. But the soul lives on. Similarity, baba is always there! One only has to realise this. Many were feeling a bit disappointed by the melted shiv ling, as they were expecting a large one, as seen in the photographs. I was not at all sad. In fact this have me an opportunity to feel the lingam in its pure energy form.
Whenever temples in Bharat were destroyed by mugals, the idols were destroyed, the energy of the place still remained. It can not be taken away by anyone. This is the key. Awareness of this principle allows one to see things, which are not visible to the normal eye.
Meditation and prayers:
Meditation, Recitation of shiv Manas Puja, japa of maha mrityunjay was done along with a prayer for sarva loka kalyanam, a level below the main lingam. Prayers were offered on behalf of all our ancestors, family, friends, associates and all the living beings. As you are reading this Blog, rest assured that your prayers have reached Baba too. Baba has capacity to give in infinite ways, so why not ask for it! The prayer, which has evolved over time for me is...
Blessed by satguru, acting as a chosen medium, with sincere gratitude, I transfer the eternal infinite knowledge, bliss and energy from the abundant universe, for giving prosperity, happiness and well-being for all, through mission one million associates by giving substantial value consistently through strategic innovation, while being in eternal sound of aum and divine music to graciously receive the rewards of health, wealth and happiness for me, my family, my associates and all the beings in the universe.
Anahata naad:
The anahata naad here was very peaceful and soothing, an indication of the loving energy of baba being showered on everyone. The changes in the frequency and volume of the inner naada that goes on eternally, and can be sensed, when aware. Anahata is the perfect grounding tool to anchor the mind in the storm of maya in the ocean of life. You can connect to anahata with 4 simple steps.
Super cold steps:
Sudarshan, my spiritual buddy had asked me to walk barefoot to feel the energy of a place. Feet are best when in contact with the bare surface to directly connect with the soil or stone underneath . We miss the connection with we wear shoes. The western culture is about shoes. The culture in Bharat is to be barefoot, Unless absolutely needed. The stone steps created for the cave were super cold and wet from the water drops and melting of the ice. This was a different experience altogether!
Finishing darshan:
As the darshan was over and we headed back in the doli, there was an announcement of bad weather! People in the general line, who came waking could not take the darshan and were turned away, as there was a possibility of rain.
Imagine coming all the way, and not being able to take darshan! I saw a group, whom we met on the way back, where the ladies took darshan, as they had a seperate que, but men could not. Some accepted it, some were sad. The darshan is always a calling. One can not go there. One has to be called.
The slip:
On the path, there were two challenges for the doli lifters, wet road at places and stones that remain hidden just under a layer of dust. This is a problem usually when descending. One of my doli carriers slipped and the doli almost toppled on my right side. I instantly shifted my weight on the left, held on the chair and the other three lifters, tried their best not to let the doli topple. All this happened in a few seconds! By the grace of baba barfani, i did not fall down! When this happened there was no fear and after that, there was no feeling of relief. It was as if necessary action was taken and result was accepted. And we moved on in a few minutes.
Domail:
We had a meeting over tea with mr vaidya and Mr khatavkar, who had setup a langar at domail. As soon as we were inside the langar, it rained very heavily there. But no problem for us, as we were indoors. The weather cooperated with us throughout. This is not a coincidence, it's only possible with divine blessings.
Mr. Vaidya recommended that we do the yatra from the pahalgam side next time and that too on foot, taking our time, as its a long route and takes a few days. There are some amazing places like sheshnag kund etc on the way. This can be a plan next June in 2025! Planning begins. Anyone who is fit and wants to join, bookings are open now! We will be staying in tents on the way up and down...
Mr vaidya was to also shared some pictures of baba amarnath, where different patterns are visible in the lingam. I am waiting!
Conversation with a cucumber vendor:
I stopped to have a cucumber at a road side stall. An old man haroon was selling cut cucumber with salt and chilli flakes for taste in a simple plastic plate.
As I enjoyed the food, i overheard this conversation, which I found very funny, and enlightening.
Man: give the cucumber in 20 rs.
Vendor: it is 30 rs.
Man: in Delhi, it is 20 rs a kg.
Vendor: here it is 20 rs a piece. We have to lift it all the way here in person or on khacchars.
Man: why don't you go to Pakistan?
Vendor: we are very happy here. We had relatives there earlier. Now we don't have much contact there.
Man: are you happy with the development here?
Vendor: sort of. unemployment is still an issue. There are no government jobs.
Man: your name is haroon. Change it to Arun Kumar.
Vendor: I am happy with my name. I will not change it.
Man: make sure your children grow up to be good people.
Vendor: I am educating them. They will not do this work of vegetables vendor. I am a graduate myself, but I am doing this work of having to sell cucumber t yatris.
Man: you are in ram rajya now.
Vendor: we were always in jannat in kashmir. Even today we are. We will be in jannat tomorrow too.
Man: Gandhi is responsible for the partition, and split your kashmir into two parts. Is he a mahatma?
Vendor: i only know what is there in the text books. He was a great man.
Every question asked was intended to instigate haroon, the old cucumber vendor. He was doing his work with a smile and was very calm. In him, i saw a pure, simple, loving soul, out to fulfill his family responsibilty. This was a great lesson in life. Sometimes I get triggered with small things. Here was a man who was absolutely peaceful, inspite of multiple attempts to be instigate him. I would have not an lasted more than a few attempts. I wondered the more money we have, the more educated we are, makes us arrogant as we develop a false ego. These poor simple people have no ego. Sometimes they would even go to sleep hungry. They even accept that. Taken in the right perspective, this interaction is a great learning.
I asked him: how many such characters (namoonas in Hindi) do you meet every day?
Haroon: 2 to 3. And he smiled.
We both laughed, and saw eye to eye. I could see the mischievous twinkle in his eyes and I proceeded ahead to sit in the doli.
Doodhpatri
After taking rest, next day, proceeded to doodhpatri. We dropped pahalgam as it was too far (and similar to sonmarg) and so was gurez out of range!
Doodhpathri:
A drive to doodhpatri from sonmarg took us via the same dhaba, we stopped by earlier. This time however, due to heavy and late breakfast, we could only take a lemoneeze drink before we proceeded ahead.
Doodhpatri sight seeing:
The meadows are excellent. Lush green on all aides. With the trees around, snow capped mountains, one feels as if we are in Switzerland!
There were patches of bonfire in the grass, burning patches of grass and small bits of garbage, plenty in number were lying around.
i discovered a formula.
Doodhpatri - garbage = Switzerland.
No wonder, a swatch Bharat mission was launched by our pm Modi. Shaucha or cleanliness is a niyama of yoga. It implies cleanliness at all levels, body, mind, soul and surroundings!
It will be great every tourist should be given a garbage collection kit comprising of a sharp needle, mounted on a stick with a small garbage collector bin. This will prevent bending down and touching the garbage and collection can be done at a super speed. With so many tourists visiting, cleanup should be very easy.
When we visited zero point earlier, and doodhpatri today, i was disappointed by the garbage lying there.
The stark contrast of garbage on the ground, and the splendor of nature above ground was hitting hard.
The actions of irresponsible humans was visible everywhere nearby.
Thank God, humans have not found a way to throw garbage on the trees. But, they have a way worst than it. They just cut trees. Eroding the soil and destroying the environment. Nature has it's own way to take revenge. Melting ice, rising temperature, higher sea levels, tornados, etc.
Sometimes I think, humans are most selfish species on earth. Complete disregard for nature and only thinking of profit for self.
Everyone thinks, i have not thrown it. Why should I collect it? We have inherited so many situations like political, religious, our family, beliefs... The count is endless.
I always think, kya karne se? What can I do?
This can be a responsible movement for a garbage free tourist spots to make kashmir and all tourist spots in Bharat, a true Switzerland.
In doodhpathri, we stayed at the hi speed resort. There is no mobile signal here and we did not miss it at all! In the lap of nature. We only got mobile signal by making a special request to the resort manager, who is a freelancer developer in information technology!
Doodhpathri river:
This is the river of foam, which looks like milk! Meditation here in the early morning was simply wonderful.
A picture in the local costume followed
Meditation with the sound of flowing water:
Meditation is not concentration or visualization. It is simply being a witness. Being a witness to no thoughts in the mind. But awareness of self and mind are there. Anahata naada helps in this awareness.
Samadhi is the next stage, when the witness, the act of witnessing and the object being witness (in this case, nothing) merge together and the identity of the self is lost. Hence the paradoxical name, self realisation, to know there is no self! I am yet to experience samadhi state. It's work in progress!
Flight back:
With lot of memories and plans of coming back in June 2025 for amarnath yatra once again! We leave Srinagar with mixed feelings of joy, happiness, sadness, feeling blessed, and a longing for coming back.
Action ahead:
let me know if you want to join in for the amarnath trek in June 2025. We will be staying in tents along the way. We have ample time to get fit and loose weight! The planning begins!
Blessing:
Blessing you with finding the eternal truth in this lifetime and coming on a yatra in person to take darshan of baba barfani, the lord amarnath, himself.
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