Something amiss with icelingam in Amarnath cave

Srinagar, Jul 11: Admitting the holy icelingam at the Amarnath cave shrine was ''tampered with'', the custodian of the holy mace of Lord Shiva Mahant Deepender Giri, however, gave a clean chit to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

''The evidence so far suggests something has been done with the icelingam,'' the Mahant said, adding the people associated with the Shrine Board were ''god fearing'' individuals who could not indulge in such an ''unreligious activity.'' Mahant Giri said the recent controversy would cast its shadow over the annual yatra.

Talking to reporters at Dashnami Akhara near here before leaving for Pahalgam with the holy mace on Asharpun Day today to perform the rituals for the auspicious start of the pilgrimage, he said the controversy over the icelingam in the cave shrine was very ''unfortunate.'' He said the evidence so far gathered from different sources, besides media reports, suggest that the icelingam has been tampered with.

Those responsible should come forward and admit the blunder, he said.

In reply to a question, he said the controversy will affect the pilgrimage this year.

However, he said, the cave itself has religious importance as it was here that Lord Shiva revealed the story about life and death to his wife Parvati.

Because of this significance, pilgrims from different parts of the country and abroad visit the shrine every year, he said adding the icelingam is the main attraction of the annual yatra.

''No persons associated with the SASB would have indulged in the artificial icelingam episode even if there was no self made lingam this time,'' he said.

SASB has nothing to do with the fake icelingam, he clarified.

In reply to a question, Mahant Giri said the Gupta commission inquiring into the controversy has not met him. ''I do not know about the progress of the inquiry,'' he said and added he has not yet seen any government notification on the inquiry. Mahant Giri clarified that he has never said that he will not take the silver mace of Lord Shiva to Pahalgam this time in protest against the fake icelingam.

'' What I said was that the pilgrimage has to start on Ashurpun day after proper pooja at Pahalgam, the base camp of the Amarnath cave.'' However, the pilgrimage started a month earlier on June 11.

He said the pooja of holy mace is being conducted at Pahalgam praying for the safety of the pilgrims.

Mahant Giri said he has met Shankaracharya Swaroopanand and other religious heads of different areas, including at Hardwar to seek their blessings for the success of the pilrimage.

Meanwhile, the one member Gupta Commission recently visited Shri Amarnath Cave via Baltal and made on the spot assessment regarding the controversy on the formation of the self-made icelingam.

The commission will continue to hold its sittings at Tourist Reception Centre, here.

Accordingly, all the parties concerned have been asked to appear and make their representations.

SASB appointed a commission following allegations that the 'Lingam' in the cave was man-made this year after self-made Shivlingam was not formed.

It was alleged the SASB purchased ice from a Delhi firm and transported it to the cave shrine for preparing the 'Lingam.' About two lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine since the start of the pilgrimage on June 14. It is expected that five lakh pilgrims will offer prayers at the shrine this year.

UNI

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