Amarnath pilgrimage unlikely to start June 29
June 17th, 2011 - 1:38 pm ICT by IANSJammu, June 17 (IANS) The pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to start as scheduled June 29 due to heavy snow and rains, officials say.
The ice stalagmite considered an icon of Lord Shiva has also not been spotted yet.
Too much snow accumulation on the track and poor weather conditions prevented a helicopter carrying representatives of Hindu religious groups and the Amarnath shrine board from landing near the site.
As a result, the first prayers could not be held at the shrine.
It has also been raining heavily in some portions of the track, according to informed sources.
The shrine board is making efforts to put all arrangements in place by June 25 to start the pilgrimage from June 29, but snow clearance is being hampered by snowfall and rains en route.
“The situation is such that so far no one has had a glimpse of the Shivlingam (the ice stalagmite considered an icon of Lord Shiva), the main attraction for pilgrims,” an official told IANS.
Normally, nomads would trek to the area in March-April and often click pictures to show the size of the Shivlingam. “It’s really difficult this time,” the official said.
- Amarnath pilgrimage: First prayers offered, but not at shrine - Jun 15, 2011
- First Amarnath prayers offered, not at shrine (Lead) - Jun 15, 2011
- Preparations for Amarnath pilgrimage begin - May 01, 2011
- Annual Hindu pilgrimage of Amarnath to start June 25 - Feb 26, 2012
- Amarnath pilgrims court risks for a glimpse of Shiva - Jul 04, 2011
- Next year, fitness must for Amarnath pilgrims - Oct 22, 2011
- Over 200,000 pilgrims visit Amarnath Shrine - Jul 10, 2011
- Bad weather hampering efforts to clear Amarnath route - May 27, 2012
- Amarnath pilgrims can start registering May 10 - May 03, 2011
- 520,000 pilgrims already - Amarnath set for a record - Jul 22, 2011
- Preparations begin for Amarnath pilgrimage - Mar 21, 2012
- 600,000 pilgrims perform Amarnath Yatra - Jul 25, 2011
- 100 post offices to register for Amarnath yatra: SASB - Apr 30, 2012
- Hindu groups agree to begin Amarnath yatra June 29 (Lead) - Jun 13, 2011
- Amarnath pilgrimage from June 29: Board - Jun 23, 2011
Tags: amarnath cave, amarnath shrine, first prayers, glimpse, heavy snow, helicopter, hindu, jammu and kashmir, june 29, kashmir, lord shiva, main attraction, pilgrimage, pilgrims, poor weather conditions, religious groups, shrine board, snow accumulation, snow clearance, snowfall