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| ‘Vested interests unleash disinformation campaign’ | | SASB regrets controversies over Amarnath pilgrimage | |
SRINAGAR, JULY 6- Sri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has described as unfortunate raking up of controversies over the annual Amarnathji pilgrimage for the past four years, saying that vested interests were circulating misleading information over the duration of the Yatra, the Holy ice Lingam and use of helicopters.
Clarifying the allegations being leveled against the Board, a spokesperson of SASB regretted that an eminent Holy man like Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of Chhari Mubarak, who used to manage the Yatra prior to the setting up of the Shrine Board in 2001, has been pro-active in this controversy.
On melting of the Ice Lingam, the spokesperson said that for the past about 20 years it has been melting within about two weeks of the commencement of the Yatra even when the Yatra used to be for one month only. Ever since its constitution, the SASB has been gravely concerned about this matter and wants to provide greater Yatra satisfaction to the pilgrims by ensuring that the Lingam remains intact. A technological solution was sought to be found. Various proposals considered by the Board included adopting the ice skating rink technique, refrigeration inside the Cave, putting frozen brine trays, air curtain, radiant cooling panels etc. These were discussed at various Board meetings at which Mahant Deependra Giri was present. Experiments were carried out at Mumbai, Srinagar and Gulmarg. It was felt that radiant cooling panels provided the best option, he said and added that the Division Bench of the High Court, however, ordered a stay on the use of these panels.
The spokesman further said in 2007 again a controversy has arisen over the Lingam adding that a Lingam had formed in the Cave and was seen on March 27 and again on June 9, but the Lingam was very thin at the top and was progressively reducing in size. By June 30, when the Yatra was to be inaugurated, the Lingam had melted completely. The Board is now being accused of failure to prevent the melting of the Lingam. Well before the commencement of the Yatra, a large number of people have to go to the Cave for making preparations for the Yatra, he said.
The spokesperson said that there was a heat wave in June in Kashmir and this has been the primary reason for the early melting of the Lingam. ‘If any security personnel have indulged in any un- permissible act while offering prayers’, the matter will be investigated by the State Government and suitable action taken, the spokesperson clarified.
The spokesman denied as totally baseless the Board having blamed the state government for early melting of the Lingam and maintained that the Board has been receiving full co-operation from the Government. The formation or melting of the lingam is primarily connected with natural phenomenon like global warming, shifting of glaciers as revealed by satellite pictures taken in 2006 and earthquake of 2005 which may have affected the seeping of water from the glaciers to the Cave through layers of rocks. It is the cumulative effect of all these as also the body heat of pilgrims paying obeisance at the Cave which lead to the melting of the Lingam, he added.
Referring to the allegations about helicopters contributing to the melting of Lingam, the spokesperson said that helipads stand established 500 metres away from the cave shrine adding as a long term, a ropeway system is also under consideration as at Gulmarg and feasibility report for it has been prepared by ‘ RITES’.
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