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| New twist to artificial Shivalingam controversy | | | EARLY TIMES REPORTER
SRINAGAR | JUNE 30
The controversy over artificial Shivalingam at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath has taken a new twist following reported allegations that the ice-lingam was raised by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) in connivance with a Delhi-based private company.
According to a report in the local media here, the SASB officials after finding that the Shivalingam (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) was not formed naturally on May 13 decided to erect an artificial ice-lingam at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath. The SASB floated tenders for the ''supply of ice'' so that an artificial stalagmite could be built in place of the natural lingam, the report claimed.
It alleged that the SASB authorities got in touch with Engineers Combine (3 LF, Furniture Block, Opposite Petrol Pump, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi) and ordered the company to create an artificial lingam. About 35 bags of artificially created ice were used to create the lingam, the report said, adding each bag cost Rs 700 in addition to which 12.05 per cent was charged as sales tax.
The total cost of the ice used in creating the lingam came to around Rs 24,500 with each kg costing Rs 20, it claimed.
The report alleged that an additional Rs 16,000 were given to the company for transporting the ice-lingam to the holy cave shrine. The company charged Rs 20 per kg as labour charges for creation of ice-lingam.
A total of Rs 1.19 lakh was charged by the company as around five-and-a-half metric ton ice was used to create the lingam, the report claimed. The artificially created ice-lingam was then installed at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath on June 7, it alleged. Repeated attempts to contact the SASB officials failed. |
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