Sir,
For centuries, the Amarnath Yatra, one of the most revered pilgrimages was not considered merely a journey towards the holy cave rather a soulful odyssey that merges faith and climate. The Holy Lingam itself is a testament to that.
Decades ago, the ice lingam housed in the Amarnath Cave at an altitude of 3880 meters naturally grew to its full height by June-July and remained robust till the culmination of the yatra by August. This phenomenon of naturally growing ice lingam was considered no less than a miracle and was carried out with minimal external disturbance thus there was no factor affecting its formation. The pilgrims primarily walked the route as the weather patterns were predictable despite harsh terrain, extreme cloud bursts or glacier bursts were rare. The journey was arduous but relatively safer. The mountain streams and glaciers ensured water supply for drinking and irrigation in the valley supporting, traditional agriculture and forest produce supported local livelihoods sustainably.
However, in recent years, this sacred formation has started melting prematurely, sometimes weeks after the start of yatra, raising concerns among environmentalists and devotees alike. “This year, the Ice Lingam started shrinking just days into the yatra”, says the local priest Mahant Deependra Nath who has been serving in the shrine for over two decades. ” The snow-fed water that used to freeze and build up the lingam is no longer consistent due to changing snowfall and rising temperatures.” A 2023 study by the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing noted a significant retreat in the Kashmir Himalayas, warning of “severe implications for seasonal pilgrimage sites like Amarnath”. The study also highlighted that unregulated tourism, plastic waste and emissions from vehicles are the root cause of this ecologically fragile zone which is further exacerbating the problem. For many pilgrims, the melting Lingam is a spiritual symbol of urgency. It’s a sign not just of nature’s anger, but of our neglect. We must call for long-term sustainable strategies such as limiting infrastructure development in the Himalayas, enforcing ecotourism regulations and enhancing awareness about climate impacts in religious discourse.
” The Himalayas Whisper Warnings, Are We Listening? This is no longer only a religious journey, It’s also a Journey through the climate crisis.”
Divya Anmol
Jammu
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