Mahant blames SASB for artificial Shivalingam

Srinagar, June 19 : Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of holy mace of Lord Shiva, today blamed the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) for raising of the ''artificial and unnatural'' Shivalingam at the cave shrine and termed it as an ''act of sacrilege''.

Addressing a news conference here, the Mahant said the entire Hindu community was in a state of shock over the media reports suggesting that this year the Shivalingam (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) had been raised manually.

''The religious feelings and sentiments of thousands and thousands of pilgrims have been badly hurt. If found that this year the Shivalingam had been raised manually or scientifically, then I will term it as an act of sacrilege,'' he added.

''I am of this firm opinion that the holy cave is a natural cave and the formation of the himlingam is a natural process. It (Shivalingam) should not be interfered with manual, artificial or scientific artifice or procedures,'' the Mahant of Amarnath Charri-Mubarak said.

By looking at some recent photographs, the Mahant said the Shivalingam appeared ''unnatural'' as compared to the formation in previous years. ''The himlingam doesn't appear to be natural. The nature of the issue is very sensitive. The sentiments of thousands and thousands of devotees are attached with it. If something has been done, it should be probed,'' he added.

The Mahant said since its inception, the SASB is responsible for the management of the affairs of the holy cave shrine.

''So, if anything has been done at the holy cave shrine, the SASB is responsible for it,'' he said while reacting to a reported statement of SASB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Arun Kumar stating that the artificial Shivalingam had been raised by some people and the board had nothing to do it.

The Mahant, who is one of the seven members of the SASB, also sought the Centre's intervention keeping in view the sentiments of the pilgrims and the nature of the issue.

''I want the entire thing to be probed. The truth should come out,'' he added.

Expressing serious concern over the ''artificial and chemically-made ice Shivalingam'', the Mahant urged the Centre to appoint a judicial commission of a sitting Supreme Court judge so that the truth comes to light and those guilty were punished.
The Mahant said if any official of the SASB knew that the ''artificial Shivalingam'' had been raised at the holy cave shrine, then they should have informed about it. The Mahant also rubbished the SASB's statement that at a meeting of the board on May 30, he had said that this was not something unusual as it happens once in 12 years or so.

''I deny it. I was present at the meeting, but I have never said that,'' he added.

However, the Mahant refused to disclose the minutes of the meeting.

He justified the formation of the SASB, but said getting involved in ''controversies and irregularities was ominous for the board''.

The Mahant also criticised extending the duration of the Amarnath pilgrimage, saying it has no religious significance and he was not in favour of any extension.

He said the pilgrimage was a huge affair and the main function of the SASB was to regulate the pilgrim traffic while the state government looked after all the other arrangements.

The Mahant said it would take another five years to raise the infrastructure required to meet the increased influx of pilgrims.

He also expressed unhappiness with the word ''tourism pilgrimage'', saying a pilgrimage is something to do with innerself as one goes to a place of worship to profess his or her faith.

But, a pilgrimage could not be adventure tourism, the Mahant said and called for following of all the religious procedures.

UNI