For the first time ever, the main ice lingam has melted in the cave shrine before the start of the yatra, causing much disappointment among the pilgrims.
The mahant and the shrine board trade charges over the unusual happening
SRINAGAR: Premature melting of the holy Shiv lingam has sparked off a major controversy in Kashmir with Mahant Dependra Giri, the custodian of the holy mace, holding Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) responsible for negligence in organizing the annual Amarnath pilgrimage.
For the first time ever, the main ice lingam has melted in the cave shrine before the start of the yatra, causing much disappointment among the pilgrims.
“It is utter negligence of the SSAB that the Shiv lingam which was in full shape in May has melted. SASB has failed to live up to the expectations of the yatraites who come from far flung areas to have dharshan of the lingam”, Mahant told DNA.
Mahant Dependra Giri said the langers (free community kitchens) near the cave shrine and other such infrastructure and the excessive use of choppers are responsible for premature melting of the lingam.
“The chopper does more than100 sorties in the day and it creates huge noise and air pollution. Plus the SASB has given permission for setting up Langers near the cave shrine, which adds to the temperature, resulting in the melting of the lingam”, he said.
Mahant also lambasted the SASB. “Seventy thousand pilgrims have had dharshan before the official commencement of yatra on June 30. If SASB says it is unable to check the pilgrim rush then I can say it is their incompetence”, he said.
Mahant also called for the reduction of the yatra duration from two months to one month.
“In our scriptures it is written that the yatra should be held during the 30 auspicious days. Therefore the duration of yatra should be reduced to one month and no pilgrim should be allowed to perform dharshan before the set period”, he said.
Mahant also called for relocating the helipad, langers and other infrastructure from the cave shrine.
CEO of the SASB, Dr Arun Kumar, however rubbished the allegations of Mahant saying the melting of the holy lingam was due to the weather.
“It is a normal process that lingam melts with the passage of time. Let Mahant tell me whether he has seen any lingam during Raksha Bandhan in the last 15 years when he carries the holy mace to the cave shrine. Moreover, the chopper service started just few years back”, Dr Kumar added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}