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SRINAGAR: Even before the Amarnath Yatra concludes on August 31, the naturally formed ice Shivling in the cave shrine has completely melted due to the increased temperatures. However, pilgrims have continued to throng the holy cave, with 4,38,733 devotees visiting till August 17.
According to official figures, 1,104 devotees visited the cave shrine for a darshan on August 15, 832 on August 16 and 938 the next day.
The ice stalagmite usually forms a Shivling during the month of Sawan or Shravan (July-August) and starts melting after a month. This year, the Shivling started melting by mid-July and disappeared by early August, according to reports.
The yatra, spanning 62 days this year, commenced on July 1, with both the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district simultaneously serving as starting points.
Meanwhile, the rituals related to the yatra are being performed. On August 15, Chhari Mubarak, the saffron-robed holy mace of Lord Shiva, was carried by its custodian, Mahant Deependra Giri, to the historic Shankaracharya temple for prayers on the occasion of Hariyali Amavasya. The next day, the Chhari Mubarak was taken to Sharika Bhawani temple at Hari Parbat hills.
The mahant will carry the holy mace to the cave shrine to perform a puja on the morning of Shravan Purnima on August 31, after having night halts at Pahalgam on August 26, Chandanwari on August 28, Sheshnag on August 29 and Panchtarani on August 30.
According to official figures, 1,104 devotees visited the cave shrine for a darshan on August 15, 832 on August 16 and 938 the next day.
The ice stalagmite usually forms a Shivling during the month of Sawan or Shravan (July-August) and starts melting after a month. This year, the Shivling started melting by mid-July and disappeared by early August, according to reports.
The yatra, spanning 62 days this year, commenced on July 1, with both the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district simultaneously serving as starting points.
Meanwhile, the rituals related to the yatra are being performed. On August 15, Chhari Mubarak, the saffron-robed holy mace of Lord Shiva, was carried by its custodian, Mahant Deependra Giri, to the historic Shankaracharya temple for prayers on the occasion of Hariyali Amavasya. The next day, the Chhari Mubarak was taken to Sharika Bhawani temple at Hari Parbat hills.
The mahant will carry the holy mace to the cave shrine to perform a puja on the morning of Shravan Purnima on August 31, after having night halts at Pahalgam on August 26, Chandanwari on August 28, Sheshnag on August 29 and Panchtarani on August 30.
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