Mahant blames SASB for artificial Shivalingam at Amarnath

Srinagar, June 19 (UNI) Holding the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) responsible for raising of the ''artificial and unnatural'' Shivalingam at the cave shrine, Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of holy mace of Lord Shiva, today termed it as an act of sacrilege and said the entire Hindu community was in a state of shock.

He reiterated his demand for appointment of a judicial commission, headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge, to probe the matter so that the guilty were punished.

''Since its inception, the SASB is responsible for the management of affairs of the Amarnath shrine. So, if anything has been done at the holy cave, the SASB is responsible for it,'' he told a news conference here.

Expressing serious concern over the ''artificial and chemically-made ice Shivalingam'', 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, 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 matter to be probed. The truth should come out,'' he added.

The Mahant urged the Centre to appoint a judicial commission of a sitting Supreme Court judge so that the truth comes to light and the 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 he should have informed the devotees about it.

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