Amarnath Yatra begins, but the Holy Ice Lingam is already fading
For the second consecutive year, the naturally formed Ice Lingam inside the Amarnath Cave Shrine, situated at an altitude of 3888 meters, is melting rapidly.
In the last five days, more than 1 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan inside the holy cave area, but for several others, waiting in the long queues outside base camps and those in transit, the news of the Ice Lingam melting fast is not welcome news.
On its part, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board authorities have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the annual pilgrimage, but at the same time, the melting of the Ice Lingam in less than one week is bothering the faithful devotees and the Shrine Board authorities.
Reacting to the news, Peoples Democratic Party leader and daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija Mufti, said Wednesday, “sad acceleration of certain measures such as unnecessary construction, massive footfall of devotees & an ambitious ropeway project that could wreak havoc“. She further stated, I hope SASB treats this revered spot with more mindfulness & greater consideration”.
Amarnath Shrine Board must consider that the site itself is precariously situated inside a cave surrounded by snow capped mountains & glaciers. A site of monumental significance for Hindus which has existed since the 12th century.
But there’s been a sad acceleration of certain… pic.twitter.com/Knd1pzjyhS
— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) July 8, 2026
According to experts, several factors are responsible for the early melting of the Ice Lingam inside the cave shrine.
The common factors listed by experts so far remain rising temperatures, reduced snowfall, and unpredictable heatwaves in the Kashmir region.
Rising heat in the valley and prolonged warmer spells cast a shadow and create roadblocks in maintaining sub-zero conditions required for the formation and preservation of the ice stalagmite.
The experts also observed that reduced snowfall during winter means there is less sustained cold meltwater available to feed and preserve the Shivling.
A local devotee, Umesh Gupta, who is a regular visitor to the cave shrine, said, ” I have been performing the yatra for several years now. But for the last two or three years, I have noticed that the Ice Lingam inside the cave shrine begins melting soon after the yatra starts. Previously. It was not the case.
Umesh said that when he, along with his family, visited the cave shrine, I could only see a faint trace of the Shivling. He said I felt bad for thousands of devotees who are still waiting for their turn to undertake the yatra this year.
Some of the pilgrims suggested that the Shrine Board should allow the pilgrims to undertake the yatra in the first or second week of June rather than July.
If it had begun around June 15, more devotees would have had the opportunity to witness the holy Shivling.
Despite the melting of the holy Shivling, the 57-day Shri Amarnath Yatra continues without interruption. Devotees continue to visit the shrine because the sacred cave itself holds immense spiritual significance.
Devotee Gourav Salgotra said, “Despite the fast melting of the Ice Lingam, faith remains. People are still coming to the cave because it is a matter of devotion. Even if the Shivling is no longer visible to some, the divine presence of Baba can still be felt in every particle of that sacred place. That spiritual bliss can only be experienced at Baba Barfani’s cave.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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