SRINAGAR, July 7: Concern has grown among devotees after the naturally formed ice Shivling inside the holy Amarnath Cave reportedly melted by nearly 90 percent within four days of the start of the Amarnath Yatra 2026.
The pilgrimage began on July 3, with over four lakh devotees registered. Images from the cave show the sacred ice formation, known as Baba Barfani, significantly reduced in size, raising fears among pilgrims that it could melt completely before many reach the shrine.
The Amarnath Ice Shivling forms naturally every winter as water droplets freeze inside the cave and is revered by devotees as a symbol of Lord Shiva.
While authorities have not issued any official explanation, experts believe higher temperatures, changing weather conditions and shifts in the cave’s microclimate may have contributed to the rapid melting. The development has also renewed concerns over the impact of climate change on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Despite the shrinking ice formation, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board continues to manage the annual pilgrimage, with thousands of devotees still making their way to the cave for darshan.
