Shayan Nabi
PAHALGAM: Media reports about melting of the Shivling, a naturally formed stalagmite worshipped by Hindus, has disappointed hundreds of Pony wallas (horse owners) who ferry pilgrims to its site in the Kashmir Himalayas.
Every year thousands of pilgrims from across the country visit the Amarnath cave shrine, to perform one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism.
They trek through treacherous mountains in revolt-torn Kashmir, along icy streams, glacier-fed lakes and frozen passes, to reach the temple located at an altitude of 3,800 metres (12,700 feet).
Hundreds hire Ponies for the journey while others who can afford to fly reach by helicopters to have a glimpse of the ice stalagmite.
But a Delhi-based Television news channel, Zee News recently reported that over 40% of the ice stalagmite has melted already melted even before the beginning of the yatra.
“This has raised questions over how thousands of pilgrims who trek the treacherous mountainous ravines to reach the holy cave will be able to chance upon a ‘darshan’ of the same,” the Zee reported.
‘Bad Omen’
The size of the stalagmite, believed to be a symbol of Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity of destruction and regeneration, has varied in previous years depending on the weather.
Few Years ago pilgrims were outraged when authorities reportedly used snow to create a stalagmite as the natural ice formation failed to show up at the start of the pilgrimage.
Many Ponywalls consider the melting as a bad omen.
Mohammed Ahsan and Bashir Ahmad, relatives, earn 1,000 rupees to 1,500 rupees a day during the pilgrimage and the earnings sustain them and their families through the year.
Ahsan says “Yatra is the only time we earn, if reports about melting of Shivling are true, it is bad omen for us as also for pilgrims.”
“I am deeply saddened by the very small size of the stalagmite,” says Ahmad.
“This will hit our business badly.”
The shrine management, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the pilgrimage, has not so far said anything about the melting Shivling.
But CEO of (SASB) Navin Choudhary as quoted by Jagran Post said “As far as the size of the Shivaling is concerned, nothing concrete can be said about this, on account of religious reasons.”
The pilgrimage, one of Hinduism’s holiest, is due to begin officially this year on June 28.
