Amarnath shrine's Shiva Lingam melting fast amid heatwave: Reports

NEW DELHI: The Shiva Lingam at the Amarnath cave shrine has begun to melt just over a week after the yatra commenced on June 29, according to TV reports. The melting is being attributed to the ongoing heatwave conditions in the region. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, more than 1,50,000 pilgrims have already visited the holy shrine to offer their prayers.
The Amarnath Cave, located at an altitude of approximately 3,880 metres in Jammu and Kashmir, holds immense significance for millions of Hindus worldwide, who consider it the abode of Lord Shiva.
The valley has been experiencing soaring temperatures and blistering heat over the past few weeks, contributing to the melting of the Shiva Lingam. However, the devotees continue to arrive in Jammu and Kashmir to seek blessings from Baba Barfani, as the shrine is affectionately known.
A widely circulated video claimed that the Shiva Lingam has undergone substantial melting. However, the authenticity and timing of the video have not been independently verified.

On Saturday, the Amarnath Yatra was temporarily suspended on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes as a precautionary measure due to heavy rainfall. The officials said that intermittent heavy rainfall had been observed along both routes since the previous night. The decision to suspend the yatra temporarily was made to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.
Despite the challenges, the number of devotees who have successfully completed the pilgrimage and had 'darshan' of the naturally formed ice lingam has surpassed 1.50 lakh. The Amarnath Yatra, which began on June 29, follows two paths: the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal. The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 19.
In the previous year, more than 4.5 lakh pilgrims offered their prayers at the cave shrine, highlighting the immense devotion and spiritual significance attached to this sacred site.