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| Lingam fully shaped at cave | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 3: The self-made holy ice-Shivlingam in the Amarnath cave in south Kashmir Himalayas has been fully formed as the two-month-long annual pilgrimage will start from the first week of next month.
Though the security, medical and other arrangements would be done by the state government, the scavenging on traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal routes would be undertaken by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
To avoid any last year like confrontation between the SASB and authorities, a high level meeting discussed all measures for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage in south Kashmir Himalayas.
Official sources said that the self made lingam has been fully formed because of heaviest snowfall this winter.
However, the authorities were worried after sudden increase of several degree above normal in the minimum and maximum temperature, sources said.
But now they are hopeful that the Shivlingam will last for longer period this season following late snowfall in March and April and pleasant weather conditions now because of cold due to rainfall.
Last year the Shivlingam could last for only a week after the pilgrimage was started. Increased number of air sorties to cave shrine and hot weather condition were the mainly responsible for early melting of the Shivlingam, sources said adding this year the number of air sorties would be less.
Sources said it has been decided not to allow any pilgrim to visit the shrine before the pilgrimage is officially declared open.
This, they said, has been decided to avoid any human interference with the 'lingam' as was witnessed few years back when some television channels show pilgrims and security force personnel touching the shivlingam and burning candles and agarbatties there.
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