Srinagar, March 12
Alongside the Amarnath pilgrimage, devotees this year would be able to have darshans of another ancient cave of Lord Shiva as a Hindu organisation is planning to restart Dyneshwer Yatra in a big way after a gap of 24 years.

The yatra to the holy cave in the mountains of north Kashmir’s Bandipore district was stopped after the eruption of militancy in the state. Now, the Sharda Mata Trust (SMT) and the All-Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) plan to restart the pilgrimage from August this year.

“The Dyneshwer Yatra to the holy cave used to be an annual affair on Raksha Bandhan day before militancy. We will restart the yatra after 24 years on August 21-the day when Amarnath Yatra concludes,” said APMCC chairman Vinod Pandit.

A few groups visited the cave area in Bandipore last year to check feasibility of reviving the pilgrimage.

On the significance of the pilgrimage, Pandit said: “One can find mention of this yatra in Puranas and also in Rajatarangini. Alongside the Amarnath Yatra, devotees in large numbers from ancient times also used to perform the Dyneshwer Yatra by paying obeisance at the holy cave of Lord Shiva.”

Rajatarangini (Chronicle of Kings), an account of Kashmir’s ancient history, has been written by the 12th century historian, Kalhana.

At one time, around eight devotees can enter the holy cave that contained formations of teats of a cow’s udder. “For the devotees, water from the teats of the holy cow is amrit...Lord Shiva has also meditated in this cave,” he added.

Pandit expressed hope that scores of devotees would join them in the pilgrimage. The SMT and the APMCC would also get in touch with the authorities concerned, including the Army and the police, for logistic support and security.

He said the pilgrims would have to trek for four hours from Dardpora via Naranag before reaching the holy cave. The shrine in Bandipore is also known as “Chhota Amarnath” just like another Lord Shiva cave at Thajiwara, Bijbehara in south Kashmir. “Chhota Amarnath” pilgrimage in south Kashmir was restarted in 2007.

In 2009, the APMCC had also restarted the Harmukt Ganga (Gangbal) Yatra in the Valley after more than 100 years with an aim of preserving the rich cultural and religious heritage of Kashmiri Pandits.