The importance of this cave is not because snow Shivling is built here. The importance of this cave is also because in this cave, Lord Shiva had narrated the mantra of immortality to his wife Goddess Parvati and he did penance here for many years, so it is a major and holy place of Shiva. There are 5 prominent places of Shiva- 1. Kailash Parvat, 2. Amarnath, 3. Kedarnath, 4. Kashi and 5. Pashupatinath.
Actually, according to the scriptures, Lord Shiva in this cave told Goddess Parvati as the secret of immortality. Along with Mata Parvati, this mystery was also heard by Shuk (Parrot) and two pigeons. This Shuk later became immortal as Shukdev Rishi, while in the cave, many devotees still see a couple of pigeons who are considered immortal birds. However, it is also said that when Lord Shankar was narrating this nectar to Bhagwati Parvati, a child of a shuk (green wooden or green parrot) was also listening to this knowledge. Parvati used to fill Hunkara in between listening to the story. Parvatiji fell asleep while listening to the story and a Shukdev sitting in his place started filling the hunkari.
Going towards Amarnath cave, Shiva first reached Pahalgam, where he abandoned his Nandi (bull). Thereafter, in Chandanwadi, he freed the moon from his jata (hair). On reaching a lake called Sheshnag, he also removed the snakes from his neck. He also decided to leave the dear son Shri Ganeshji on Mount Mahagunas. Then after reaching Pancharani, Shivji abandoned the five elements. Leaving everything, in the end, Lord Shiva entered this Amarnath cave and started narrating Amarkatha to Parvatiji.
Amar Katha: In this holy cave, Lord Shankar showed Bhagwati Parvati the path of salvation. This philosophy is known as ‘Amarkatha’, hence this place was named ‘Amarnath’. This story is a dialogue between Bhagwati Parvati and Lord Shankar. This is the way there was a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna.
