Amarnath Siva Lingam Melts in Unusual Weather

Amarnath Siva Lingam Melts in Unusual Weather

AMARNATH, INDIA, July 31, 2002: Unusually high temperatures in Kashmir have melted an ice stalagmite considered the image of Lord Siva, but this makes little difference to thousands of pilgrims who have braved potential and real rebel attacks to reach the Himalayan cave. "When a large number of people gather in the shrine, the temperature rises," said Kaniya Lal, a scientist in Kashmir's meteorological department. "Even if there is a rise of two degrees (Celsius) inside the cave, the Lingam starts melting.Besides, there has been a gradual rise in overall temperature and drought-like conditions are prevailing in the state," he said. Most pilgrims, however, believe that even without the Lingam the site is still holy. "The absence of the Lingam does not reduce the reverence of the place," said Mohan Lal, from Haryana. The cave, is expected to draw more than 175,000 pilgrims this year.