Jammu, June 14 (Scoop News) –All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) has expressed serious concern over reported fast melting of ice lingam of Bhagwan Shiva in the cave shrine. As reported about fifty percent of natural formation of ice lingam of Bhagwan Shiv in the Amarnath cave has already melted, a 15 days before the onset of Amarnath Yatra. At this rate it is feared that the ice lingam will fully melt and disappear even before the commencement of annual Amarnath Yatra, on June 28. It is causing great anxiety to all the stake holders in the Amarnath pilgrimage, Jammu hoteliers body has stated.
A meeting of the association held here today under the Chairmanship of its President Indeerjeet Khajuria observed that natural formation of ice lingam of Baba Amarnath is the motivating force and main inspiration for the devotees to undertake the Yatra, to pay obeisance to the same, it added that fool proof security to the pilgrims and formation of ice lingam are two dominating factors for larger number of pilgrims visiting the shrine. While security arrangements made by the authorities are quite satisfactory and encouraging, the SASB should undertake steps to keep the ice lingam intact with its maximum size through out the period of Yatra, to fulfil the motivation and religious inspiration of the devotees.
AJHLA has further observed that it has been for long stressing on the shrine board to avail of the services of DRDO, to undertake scientific means to control the heat in and around the cave and keep the temperature at a level where the ice lingam does not melt, but remains intact for the whole period of Yatra. However, in adopting these measures, the SASB should take on board the religious body having stake in the pilgrimage, to insure that the religious sentiments of the people are not hurt. Appreciating the measures taken by the SASB to promote the Yatra, by extending its duration and upgrading infrastructure and other facilities for the pilgrims, AJHLA has observed that if the ice lingam of Bhagwan Shiva can be kept in its full formation through out the Yatra period, it will tremendously promote the Yatra, with much larger number of devotees coming to perform the same. In turn it will provide economic boon to the people both in Jammu and Kashmir valley.
Hailing the arrangements made by the Jammu Divisional administration for Machail Yatra, AJHLA has demanded that the helicopter fare to the hill shrine be brought at economic level, affordable to larger number of prospective pilgrims. A deputation of the association had earlier called on the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pardeep Gupta, appealing him to ensure helicopter fares to be economical and affordable. The latter had assured to look into the same, Mr Khajuria told the meeting.
The others who were present besides, Indeerjeet Khajuria, included Ajay Gupta Senior Vice President, H S Manhas Vice President, Pawan Gupta General Secretary, Baldev Raj Treasurer, Vikram Singh Secretary, Sunil Suri Secretary.
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