Amarnath lingam melting fast

Amarnath cave, Jammu & Kashmir: The holy lingam in the Amarnath cave is melting and the shrine’s custodians say it is because of the heat.

The annual two-month long pilgrimage to the cave begins on June 30, but people have started early to catch a glimpse of the lingam, which is formed ice naturally.

(nat up)

“When we measured the lingam May 25 it was found to be 12 and half feet high and eight feet in circumference. It is now one tenth of that. The lingam is melting due to rise in temperature. It will last for at least a week, said M K Raina, chairperson of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

The yatra was marred by controversy in 2006 after it was known temple officials had put a man-made lingam for darshan after the natural one melted away. This time, hundreds of pilgrims are trekking, and many more are flying their way up to the cave shrine to reach in time for the divine sight.

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