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Story - Shiva And Panchtarni On The Way To Amarnath Cave

Panchtarni is located in Anantnag District in Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is an important holy spot on the way to Amarnath Cave. The story of origin of Panchtarni Sarovar is associated with Shiva.


Legend has it that Goddess Parvati wanted to know the secret of immortality of Shiva. Shiva chose the Amarnath Cave to reveal the secret. On his way to the cave with Goddess Parvati, Shiva left five elements here. The place where Shiva left the five elements later came to be known as Panchtarni.

Symbolically dropping of five elements is dropping the body which is made of earth, water, air, fire and sky.

On this way to the cave, Shiva had first abandoned Nandi, then his matted locks and Chandra, thirdly his Nagas, fourthly Ganesha and finally the five elements.