| Devotees throng Aishmuqam near Pahalgam | |||
| Greater Kashmir | Apr 21, 2008 | ||
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Aishmuqam (Islamabad), Apr 21: The age old tradition of burning mashals (fire torches) was carried on Sunday night here with religious fervor at the historical shrine of Hazrat Zain-u-din Wali (RA) on Islamabad-Pahalgam road. As dusk approached, devotees from different religions gathered to pay homage to the 15th century (AD) saint of Kashmir by burning mashals and taking out religious processions. Hazrat Zain-u-Din Wali (RA) was one of the principal disciples of Sheikh Noor-u-din Noorani, Old, young, men, women and children thronged the road to the shrine on Islamabad-Pahalgam road. Just a few hundred metres walk takes one to the foot of the stone chair leading to the shrine. The mausoleum is located inside a deep cave atop the hill. Revealing the history of burning the mashals on the day, Nazir Ahmad Lone, a local resident said that there is a very interesting story behind it. 'There is a saying that during the rule of Ashushah Badshah a few centuries back, jinns (ghosts) had terrified the villagers of Aishmuqam. One day the villagers approached the jinn and requested him to eat them one by one.' 'One day when turn of a young orphan Gujjar boy named Bumisad who was supposed to get married on the same day came, the things took a U-turn. As Bumisad approached the jinn, he asked him to fight. The fight continued for a week and one night the villagers came to know that Bumisad has killed the jinn. They couldn't believe and went out with mashals in hands to find out the truth. On finding the body of jinn people began to rejoice. From that day, every year mashal procession is taken out,' he said. 'After death, the jinn turned into a snake and was then called shahmar (head of snakes),' he added. Mir Abdullah Kubrawi and Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, locals who spoke about the history of mashal had this thing to say, 'A few centuries after this incident, Sheikh Zain-u-din Wali (RA), and his mother Zoon Ded met Sheikh Noor-u-din Noorani (RA) at Bumzu village some 16 kilometers south of Aishmuqam. Wali (RA), a prince of ruling rajas of Kishtiwar before his conversion was known as Zia Singh. After embracing Islam, he meditated for a long time in a village Mandjan of Tehsil Sopur where he attained spiritual perfection. It was at this stage that Sheikh Noor-ud-Din (RA) advised him to migrate to the cave at Aishmuqam where he spent rest of his.' 'On his arrival, Wali (RA) found the entrance to the cave was blocked by snakes, cobras and reptiles. It is said that the saint had carried a club with him, which he had received from his master. Seeing the serpents, he placed the club on the ground and it was instantaneously transformed into a dreadful cobra. The snakes in the cave got awestricken and not only surrendered to the Sheikh but also vacated it and migrated to the village Phuurpujan, 16 miles away from Aishmuqam,' they revealed. The exact date of the death of the saint is not known. His Urs (anniversary) is, however, celebrated on 13th day of Baisakhi corresponding to April month. Two mosques known as Khankahs are also attached to the shrine. On the anniversary of the saint, congregational prayers are held which are attended to by thousands of people. According to the inhabitants, the festival continues to be celebrated from pre-Islamic times and dates back to about 2,000 years. The shrine of Zain-ud-Din (RA) is respected by all communities and they actively participate in the celebrations. |
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| It's lights, camera, action in Kashmir | |||
| TOI | Apr 20, 2008 | ||
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This is one love affair, which is constantly battling the odds to stay alive. The serene waters, the streets lined with chinar trees and the snow-capped mountains long eluded the moviegoers. Now, its beauty is back to tease and lure. Love they say conquers all! And we are not talking about star relationships, we are talking of the high and lows of Bollywood's relationship with Kashmir. Once the favourite haunt of Bollywood filmmakers, terrorism in the Valley forced them to look elsewhere to shoot. While many directors looked at the snow-clad Alps in Switzerland for scenic beauty, others just used locations that looked similar to Kashmir. Director's cut As pictures from Raj Kanwar's film Sadiyaan, with Luv Sinha and Ferena Wazir in a romantic pose, among the tulip gardens were flashed in the media, it reminded everybody of the days of yore when every other Bollywood film or song was shot there. Director Kunal Kohli, who did a survey of almost the entire Valley to shoot his film Fanaa, says, "I visited Gulmarg, Srinagar and so many other places to shoot Fanaa, and was awestruck by the beauty. However, the conditions then were not so favourable and I was worried about the safety of my crew and stars, so I shot the film elsewhere." Today, after quite a few years, the place is buzzing with activity again. Raj Kanwar is busy shooting his film here, Santosh Sivan's troop has been camping in for the film Dastaan and Rahul Dholakia too is planning to shoot his film in Kashmir. With all these films being shot in the Valley, is Bollywood's love affair with Kashmir seeing a revival or will it always be a place where fear lurks' Director Raj Kanwar says, "I personally did not feel any fear while choosing Kashmir as the location for my next film. It was the perfect location for my subject. I am here for the past 37 days and with the military and the government helping us, we are facing no problems." Unbridled beauty With the film units going in and out of Kashmir, the otherwise quiet tourist spots are now buzzing with activity. From Pahalgam, to the snow-clad Gulmarg to the still waters of the Dal lake, filmmakers and actors are savouring the scenic beauty of the place that was, till recently, a forbidden territory. While actor Rahul Bose, (who is starring in Dastaan) says that shooting in Kashmir has been sans any major problem and been a wonderful experience, Jimmy Sheirgill, who has starred in two films that were shot in Kashmir, has lots of memories to share. Getting nostalgic, he says, "I've had a great time shooting for both my films Agnipankh and Yahaan. While for the former we mostly shot at the airbase in Srinagar, for Yahaan, we went to the downtown, the backwaters of the Dal Lake, Pahalagam and Gulmarg. With more films being planned now, I feel happy that the place is on the Bollywood map again." Agrees Kanwar, who says, "For far too long we had been deprived of sights and sounds of this beautiful place. There was an era when every other film was shot in Kashmir and then there was a void. I'm glad that it is being filled now." Lensman's delight When Roja was being filmed, terrorism was at its peak and director Mani Ratnam had to compromise on location and shoot his film in other hill stations that resembled Kashmir. While ace cinematographer Rajeev Menon's lens did do justice to the film's theme, it lacked the feel of the real locations in Kashmir. Says National Award winning cinematographer Mahesh Aney, who touched people's hearts with his poignant shots in Swades--We, the people, "We've grown up watching Shammi Kapoor and Joy Mukherjee singing songs in the gardens and snow-clad mountains of Kashmir. I am happy that films are being shot here again. The region boasts of so many virgin landscapes that need to be scouted for and explored by our lensmen. We don't have to go abroad. All our locations are right here and Kashmir is the best." |
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| Amarnath yatra to begin on June 18, 2008 | |||
| News Services (etala'at ) | Apr 6, 2008 | ||
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Shivlingam formed fully after three years: Sinha Jammu, April 3: After detailed discussions, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has unanimously decided to start Amarnath yatra simultaneously from Pahalgam and Baltal routes from June 18, which will conclude on August 16. Announcing the full formation of a Shivlingan after three years this time, Governor S K Sinha Thursday said the stage was set for the annual two months Amarnath yatra. At a meeting with the members of the Board, Sinha said the formation of Shiv Lingam after three years has set to rest the fears about Lingam not forming due to global warming and shifting of glaciers. 'We feel encouraged by this development, which is a good omen for this year's pilgrimage', Sinha said, adding that the Board has geared up for making elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the yatra. Addressing the members of SASB, Sinha, who is also its Chairman, appreciated cooperation and help the Board has been receiving from the State Government and the local population in the smooth conduct of the yatra. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for ensuring that the upcoming Shri Amarnath Yatri Niwas in Jammu will be completed within a month well before the commencement of this year's yatra. Chief Executive Officer, SASB, Dr Arun Kumar gave a presentation about the arrangements planned for this year's yatra. Dwelling on the outcome of the Board Meeting, a spokesman of SASB said that several decisions were taken for raising temporary infrastructure and ensuring smooth yatra from both the routes subject to weather. Jammu will continue to be advance base camp, he said. 'Every effort is being made to provide all basic amenities to the pilgrims keeping in view the environmental requirements of the area', the spokesman said, adding that the Board has been taking elaborate measures to preserve the ecology of the area by having in place environmental friendly shelter sheds and toilets that have been acclaimed year after year by the visiting pilgrims and environmentalists. 'This effort will continue', he stressed. The spokesman brushed aside speculations about differences between the State Government and the Shrine Board over the conduct of this annual pilgrimage and said, all agencies work in tandem for the successful accomplishment of the yatra. He said that clearance of track up to the cave shrine will be ensured by June 10. Similarly, re-erection of 213 pre-fab rooms will also be completed by this date. Hot water supply will be arranged at the camping sites and efforts would be redoubled to maintain hygienic conditions there. In all, 2080 prefab portable toilets and baths are being erected for providing facility to five lakh pilgrims. As per past practice, special microbial culture is being used to remove foul odor from toilets and to ensure decomposition of human excreta to manure. No outflow of any sewage from the camps shall be allowed to take place and any pollution of Sindh and Lidder rivers prevented at all costs. Giving an overview of the facilities being worked out during the yatra, the spokesman said that each camp will have accommodation for 1400 pilgrims with filtered water for drinking and hot water facilities. At various points on the route over 45 shelter sheds are being raised while adequate arrangements are in the pipeline by various government agencies besides the Shrine Board for the conduct of smooth yatra. These include supply of power, transport, drinking water and maintenance of health and hygiene. For catering to the requirements of pilgrims, 3650 tents would be pitched up at various camping sites besides establishment of 715 temporary shops by the locals. In addition, 130 free langers would be established by Non Governmental Organisations from various parts of the country, the spokesman said. |
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| Anupam`s Misadventure! | |||
| TNN | Dec 12, 2007 | ||
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Anupam Kher had a harrowing experience while shooting for Santosh Sivan's film Dastaan recently. His jeep, which was caught in a snowstorm in Chandanwadi, about 15 kms away from Pahalgam in Kashmir, skidded and went sliding for a distance of about 15 feet. When we asked him about the accident, Kher, who's still shooting there, said, 'It was a very scary experience and the fear of the jeep falling into a ravine really terrified me. So much so that I jumped out of the vehicle.' The entire unit of Dastaan, including Rahul Bose and Anupam Kher, were shooting at Chandanwadi, at a height of 9500 ft. Kher added, 'Luckily, I did not get hurt too badly, but the temperature here is about minus three degrees Celsius and we, including Rahul Bose and Santosh Sivan, had to walk about five kilometres in the biting cold before we got help from the military men. We have not yet returned to Pahalgam, the rest of the shooting is being done here.' When asked about how safe it is to shoot in Kashmir, Kher said, 'It is definitely much better now. Even the locals are warm towards us, although at times the fear factor does set in.' The shooting of Santosh Sivan's film Dastaan has now resumed at Pahalgam. But when asked about the subject of the film, Kher refused to divulge any details saying that it is a fable which deals with the relationship between a middle-aged man and a child. But a synopsis of the film on the Asian Film Market site says that Dastaan deals with the subject of terrorism, though positively. |
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| `Dastan` Bollywood crew rescued from Chandanwari | |||
| Indo-Asian News Service | Dec 9, 2007 | ||
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Srinagar, Dec 9 - A Bollywood film unit shooting near the south Kashmir mountain resort of Pahalgam and caught in a sudden snowstorm late Sunday afternoon, was rescued by the Jammu and Kashmir police. A senior police officer here said the film crew was shooting in Chandanwari, 10 km from Pahalgam when they were caught in a snowstorm. The unit was shooting for the Hindi movie 'Dastan' which stars Anupam Kher, Rahul Bose and Sarika and is being directed by Santosh Shivan. 'The entire film crew including Anupam Kher and Rahul Bose reached Pahalgam safely this evening,' said the officer. 'The vehicular movement in the area was disrupted by the sudden snowfall. It is snowing heavily in Chandanwari and in Pahalgam town. Some vehicles of the unit are still stranded near Chandanwari,' he added. The crew has been busy shooting in and around the picturesque resort of Pahalgam for the past nearly 20 days. |
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| Where is SKUAST maize research centre' | |||
| GreaterKashmir | Aug 29, 2007 | ||
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MUDASIR ALI Srinagar, Aug 29: Government's failure to transfer land to SK University of Agricultural Science and Technology at Kokernag has put the project of Maize Research Station into haze. While seeking his personal intervention into the issue, concerned varsity officials Wednesday appealed to chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for ensuring the allotment of land to the university. 'We appeal to the CM to personally look into the matter so that the varsity could construct the High Altitude Maize Research Station (HA SS) and accordingly take up its important research program for producing better crop seeds to the farming community,' a senior SKUAST scientist and in charge of the program told Greater Kashmir on Wednesday. He said because of the non-possession of the land, the varsity had already lost three cropping seasons The government in 2005 had taken over the HA SS spread over 205 kanals at Pahalgam from the SKUAST for expansion of golf course. In return, 407 kanals of land at Sagam was promised to the varsity for reestablishing the HA SS. While transferring the SKUAST land at Pahalgam to the Tourism Department for expansion of golf course the government had issued formal orders but no such order had been issued till date for the subsequent transfer of land at Sagam to the SKUAST. The SKUAST officials, the scientist said, approached the authorities on a number of occasions in the past, seeking their help for getting the land allotment order. 'But we fail to understand what is hindering the authorities from issuing the orders,' the scientist said. 'If the government is finding it difficult to issue the orders (for HA SS), then it must revoke the previous order whereby SKUAST land at Pahalgam was transferred to the Tourist Department,' said a scientist. He said the denial of land allotment orders hit the varsity's important research program, depriving the farming community of better seeds and hence better yield. 'The SKUAST had ordered improved and disease-resistant variety of maize seeds from Mexico which were crossbreed with the local maize variety, and an improved hybrid variety of seeds was obtained. Before distributing these seeds to farmers in high altitude areas, where low maize production has been a growing concern among farmers, it was necessary to produce the bumper crop of the improved maize variety to investigate and test for various researches,' the scientist said, adding that the whole process cost lakhs of rupees to the SKUAST. During last three seasons the SKUAST authorities had attempted to utilize the land at Sagam, Kokernag for growing the crop for research purpose. 'But every time the local mob attacked our men and threatened of dire consequences if we turned up again. They were claiming that the land belongs to the Sagam people and the university had no right over it,' the scientist said. The SKUAST officials said earlier the mob attacked the under construction HA SS, destroyed another important research program for developing improved and hybrid varieties of some Rabi crops, set ablaze furniture of the university and a shed, and looted 150 quintals of iron from the site. 'The new varieties of oil seeds including Brown Sarsoon-3-oil seeds and oats also grown at the HA SS at Sagam were for the first time sown in higher belt areas and could have been highly advantageous to the farmers. But they too were destroyed by the mob,' the scientist rued. The university registered a FIR in police station Kokernag. However, no action has been taken till date. The SKUAST accuses the police of inaction. The university earlier had taken up the matter with Superintendent of Police Islamabad and sought protection for the university staff and laborers working on the site. Earlier in 2005, the under secretary to the government, Agricultural Production Department had written to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir for taking necessary measures for handing over 407 kanals of alternative land to SKUAST, before January 31, 2005, in anticipation of formal orders. The Revenue authorities were accordingly requested by Additional Commissioner, Kashmir for obtaining and conveying the necessary orders for transfer of land to SKUAST. But Deputy Commissioner Islamabad had in December 2006 written to the Divisional Commissioner that the local MLA was objecting to the transfer of land to SKUAST from his constituency and requested him to take up the matter with Chief Minister. Talking to Greater Kashmir earlier vice-chancellor of the SKUAST said the increase in maize production, main food for sheep and goats in the Valley, was necessary for meeting the local meat production. |
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| Amarnath pilgrimage ends | |||
| UNITED NEWS OF INDIA | Aug 28, 2007 | ||
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Srinagar: Despite premature melting-tampering of the ice-lingam and high degree of threat perception, nearly 3.5 lakh devotees paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas during the two-month-long pilgrimage which concluded Tuesday on Shravan Purnima, the Raksha Bandhan day. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) spokesman Madan Mantoo said as many as 2,96,869 registered pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine during the two months. Of these, 1.20 lakh trekked the difficult and rugged terrain from Pahalgam while 1.54 took the shorter route from Baltal, he added. Mantoo said 23,000 devotees visited the holy cave in choppers. He said the number of pilgrims this year witnessed a significant increase from 2006 when as many as 2.91 lakh devotees visited the holy cave, rediscovered by a Muslim shepherd hundreds of years ago. |
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| Amarnath's cave to get deep freeze | |||
| Deccan Chronicle | Aug 26, 2007 | ||
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New Delhi, Aug. 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to refrigerate the holy Amarnath cave to prevent the ice lingam from melting. The Amarnath Shrine Board has given the green signal to the installation of radiant cooling panels. These will ensure that the temperature inside the cave remains at a constant minus five degrees Centigrade and prevent the ice lingam from melting. The lingam is a stalagmite, a natural ice formation, which is worshipped by followers of Lord Shiva who trek every year to Amarnath, located at a height of 13,000 feet in the Hindukush range. Over the past two years rising temperatures have caused the 12-foot-tall stalagmite lingam to melt. This year, much to the dismay of pilgrims, the stalagmite melted even before the Amarnath yatra was officially launched in early July. The Jammu and Kashmir governor, Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha (Retd), who is ex-officio chairman of the Amarnath Yatra Trust and the Vaishno Devi Temple Trust, pointed out that the cooling panels will be fitted into a frame which will be installed inside the cave. 'This will then help to create an invisible curtain of cold air in front of the lingam, and will prevent both the heat from outside and also the body heat of the pilgrims from reaching it. It is the same technology used inside airports and malls (to ensure that) cold air is preserved within a building,' Gen. Sinha said. The Governor was quick to add that these cooling panels would not act as blowers. The panel will consist only of rods. 'We do not want to install blowers. The cave is made of limestone and we do not want air to circulate inside, as that might prove harmful,' he said. Electricity will be needed to operate the cooling panels. This will be generated from micro-hydroelectric plants along the Amravati river, which flows close to the cave. |
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| Holy mace of Lord Shiva leaves for Pahalgam | |||
| PTI | Aug 23, 2007 | ||
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Srinagar, Aug. 23 (PTI): The Holy mace of Lord Shiva today left for Pahalgam in south Kashmir to join the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage amid chanting of vedic mantras and religious slogans. Popularly known as Charri Mubarak, the saffron-robed holy mace was offered special prayers at its abode in Dashnami Akhara here before leaving for Pahalgam at around 8 am, official sources said. The custodian of the holy mace Mahant Deepindra Giri led a group of sadhus to offer special prayers to the Charri Mubarak at Dashnami Akhara temple at Badshah chowk here before it left for Pahalgam, 100 kms from here, en-route to the 3,880 metre high holy cave, they said. Over 30 sadhus boarded a state road transport corporation bus and several other private vehicles at Badshah Chowk and left for Pahalgam, where special puja would be performed, sources said. On the way to Pahalgam, which serves as the traditional base camp for the annual yatra, puja was performed by the accompanying sadhus at Sureshwar temple at Sonawar. A large number of Hindu devotees visited the temple and join the prayers and departure of the holy mace which is scheduled to reach the holy cave on August 28 coinciding with 'Raksha Bandan' and marking the conclusion of the two-month yatra. |
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| Amarnath Shrine Board Blames Top Mahant for Controversies | |||
| KONS | July 6, 2007 | ||
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Srinagar, July 06 (KONS)- Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) today described as unfortunate raking up of controversies over the annual yatra for the past four years, saying that vested interests were circulating misleading information over the duration of the Yatra, the Holy ice Lingam and use of helicopters. Clarifying the allegations being leveled against the Board, a spokesperson of SASB regretted that an eminent Holy man like Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of Chhari Mubarak, who used to manage the Yatra prior to the setting up of the Shrine Board in 2001, has been pro-active in this controversy. The spokesman said that the Mahantji, who had been appointed a member of the Board, was as per the award of the Tribunal given Rs. 1.2 crore as one time compensation by the Board. His request for additional facilities could not be conceded by the Board. In 2006 he issued Press statements against the Board on the issue of two months Yatra and alleged about the Lingam being artificial, without raising these issues in the Board even when he was a party to the decision on two month yatra. The Board was constrained to issue him a Show Cause notice for anti-Board activity on 11 September, 2006. He chose to resign from the Board on 15 September, 2006 without stating any reasons for doing so, he added. On melting of the Lingam, the spokesperson said that for the past about 20 years it has been melting within about two weeks of the commencement of the Yatra even when the Yatra used to be for one month only. Ever since its constitution, the SASB has been gravely concerned about this matter and wants to provide greater Yatra satisfaction to the pilgrims by ensuring that the Lingam remains intact. A technological solution was sought to be found. Various proposals were considered by the Board included adopting the ice skating rink technique, refrigeration inside the Cave, putting frozen brine trays, air curtain, radiant cooling panels etc. These were discussed at various Board meetings at which Mahant Deependra Giri was present. Experiments were carried out at Mumbai, Srinagar and Gulmarg. It was felt that radiant cooling panels provided the best option. The Division Bench of the High Court, however, ordered a stay on the use of these panels. In 2006 the Lingam formed very late in the last week of May and was of small size. To preserve the Lingam, bags of dry ice were obtained to be placed at the mouth of the Cave to keep the temperature down. Mahant Deependra Giri accused the Board in the Press of putting up an artificial lingam. This led to a widespread controversy. An Inquiry by a retired High Court Judge was instituted and this clarified that the Board had not tampered with the Lingam in any manner. Subsequently, a petition filed against the Board in the High Court on this issue was also rejected. In 2007 again a controversy has arisen over the Lingam. A Lingam had formed in the Cave and was seen on 27 March and again on 9 June but the Lingam was very thin at the top and was progressively reducing in size. By 30 June when the Yatra was to be inaugurated, the Lingam had melted completely. The Board is now being accused of failure to prevent the melting of the Lingam. Well before the commencement of the Yatra, a large number of people have to go to the Cave for making preparations for the Yatra. These include Security Force personnel, track and steps repairing parties, langarwalas, tentwalas and so on. However, the Board had issued an advisory to pilgrims not to proceed to the Cave before 30 June and had requested the State Police to establish check points at Domel and Chandanwari on the two routes to the Cave from Baltal and Pahalgam. As per practice for several years now, the Service Yatris were entitled to visit the cave shrine 10 days before the commencement of the Yatra. It is now alleged that some Security Force personnel and others tampered with the Lingam while offering prayers inside the Cave with 'lamps' and agarbatis. It is also alleged that a large number of helicopter sorties were flown to the Cave. All this is said to have caused the melting of the Lingam. The fact is that there was a heat wave in June in Kashmir and this has been the primary reason for the early melting of the Lingam. If any security personnel have indulged in any unpermissible act while offering prayers, the matter will be investigated by the State Government and suitable action taken. Reports that the Board has blamed the State Government for early melting of the Lingam is totally false. The Board has been receiving full co-operation from the State Government. The formation or melting of the lingam is primarily connected with natural phenomenon like global warming, shifting of glaciers as revealed by satellite pictures taken in 2006 and earthquake of 2005 which may have affected the seeping of water from the glaciers to the Cave through layers of rocks. It is the cumulative effect of all these as also the body heat of pilgrims paying obeisance at the Cave which lead to the melting of the Lingam. Referring to the allegations about helicopters contributing to the melting of Lingam, the spokesperson pointed out that even before helicopters started flying to the Cave from 2004 in an organized manner, the Ice Lingam used to melt after about two weeks of the commencement of the Yatra. The helicopter service is a great boon for the aged and infirm to have darshan. No helicopter flies over the Cave. The Board has blocked two helipads closest to the Cave and has established helipads, 500 metres away. In the long term, a ropeway system is also under consideration as at Gulmarg and feasibility report for it has been prepared by M/S RITES. On the duration of the Yatra, the spokespersons maintained that it used to be one month culminating on Raksha Bandhan day. According to the Hindu calendar, 2004 was a 'malmas' year with two Shravan month. In view of this, the Board approached the State Government to allow a two month Yatra in 2004. The then State Government opposed this. A public controversy got generated on this issue and four Ministers in the State Cabinet resigned on this account. Mahant Deependra Giri as one of the spokesman of the Board addressed a Press Conference in 2004 demanding a two months Yatra which was ultimately for all practical purpose conceded by the State Government. After experience gained in management of a two month Yatra in 2004, the Board decided on holding two month Yatra in the future. This decision was taken on the basis of three considerations. First, in a one month's yatra there was a tendency for a large rush of pilgrims in a short period making management of the Yatra difficult. There was also the attendant risk in such cases of high casualties in event of national calamity as in 1996. In a two month yatra, the daily rush of pilgrims get spread over a longer period making the pilgrimage more manageable. Second, with the increasing popularity of the Yatra, the number of pilgrims wanting to pay obeisance had increased immensely from a few thousands to 3 to 4 lakhs in a year. Third, with the improvement of the Baltal track, pilgrims in large numbers had started going up to the Holy Cave soon after the melting of snow and well before the official date for the commencement of the Yatra. The latter is related to Raksha Bandhan whose date in the English calendar varies from year to year. In view of these considerations, the Shrine Board at its meeting on 15 February, 2005 and again on 2 December, 2005 decided on a two month yatra for 2005 and 2006 respectively. Mahant Deependra Giri was present at these meetings and did not raise any objection to the decision taken. Subsequently in 2006, he issued Press statements opposing a two month Yatra. Controversy about the duration of the Yatra and other issues between the Board and the State Government came up in the High Court through a Public Interest Litigation. A single bench of the High Court gave a verdict that the management of the Yatra including its duration should be left to the Board and the State Government should provide the required security for the Yatra. The then State Government appealed to a Division bench of the High Court where the case is still pending but the Division bench has issued interim order authorizing the Board to determine the duration of the Yatra. The Board reiterated its commitment to ensure all possible facilities to pilgrims for smooth pilgrimage. The spokesman said that the Board is making every effort to provide facilities for pilgrims. Over 2000 prefabricated eco-friendly toilets have been provided on the Yatra route at a cost of over Rs 2 crores besides pre-fabricated shelters for another Rs 6 crores, plus various other facilities. The Board shares the great disappointment of pilgrims at the early melting of the Lingam this year. It is technically feasible to ensure the preservation of the Lingam throughout the period of the Yatra by putting up an air curtain in front of the Cave and without touching or tampering with the Holy Lingam. However, this can be done only when there is consensus in this matter and the Board is permitted to take the required action. The site in the Cave where Lord Amarnath revealed the secret of life to Mata Parwati is of great sanctity and the Board hopes that this pilgrimage will continue irrespective of the presence or otherwise of the Lingam, as has been happening in the past, he added. The Spokesman said that Shri Amarnath Shrine Board was set up in 2001 in the wake of the 1996 disaster in which over 250 people got killed in a snow storm and the subsequent massacre of pilgrims by terrorists at Pahalgam in 1999. Whereas security for the pilgrimage remains the responsibility of the State Government, facilities for pilgrims during the Yatra are arranged by the Board with the help of the State Government. |
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| No decision on start of Amarnath yatra yet | |||
| UNI | June 30, 2007 | ||
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Srinagar: The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) today said a decision on the official commencement of the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine would be taken Saturday morning after reviewing the condition of the tracks and the weather. Subject to weather conditions, the two-month-long pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas was scheduled to commence simultaneously from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes from Saturday to end on August 28, the Raksha Bandhan day. Pahalgam and Baltal areas have witnessed heavy and incessant rains since yesterday afternoon, making the tracks slippery and dangerous. 'We have not taken any decision on the official commencement of the Amarnath pilgrimage so far. The yatra officials will visit the holy cave shrine tomorrow morning and review the condition of tracks via Baltal and Pahalgam and also the weather,'' SASB spokesperson Madan Mantoo told UNI. He said any decision on the commencement of the pilgrimage would be taken after the officials submit their report to the board. Mantoo said Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, who is also the SASB Chairman, will visit the cave shrine tomorrow morning subject to weather conditions and offer first prayers there. 'The pilgrimage has not started as yet. So there is no question of suspending the yatra,'' the SASB said while clarifying a media report suggesting that the Amarnath pilgrimage had been suspended due to landslides at several places en route the cave. |
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| Ice lingam melting in Amarnath | |||
| UNI | June 25, 2007 | ||
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Baltal, June 25: The ice 'Shivalingam' (the phallic symbol of Shiva), which was formed fully this year due to heavy snowfall here at the cave shrine of Amarnath has started melting in view of the hot weather in the cave periphery. Governor Lt General (retd) S K Sinha said in an interview to a television channel the 'ice-lingam' was formed fully when he had visited the holy cave shrine recently to take stock of the arrangements for the two-month-long pilgrimage, commencing from June 30. 'There is no control over weather,'' he said, adding only weather god could preserve it for the entire pilgrimage period. About the controversy over the alleged tampering with the 'ice-lingam' at the cave shrine last year, which had forced the authorities to order a judicial inquiry into the matter, General Sinha said the court verdict had proved that nothing was done with the lingam. 'The controversy is over now, the Governor, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB),'' said. This time some measures, such as preventing tourists from throwing things like flowers on the lingam among other things, had been taken, he added. A pilgrim Surinder Kumar, who returned yesterday after having 'darshan' of the ice-lingam, said one could see it melting as it was very hot in the cave vicinity. He said the ice-lingam would melt further if there was no change in the unusual above-normal temperatures. Official sources said the ice-lingam was about 15 to 16 feet in the first week of June due to heavy snowfall in the last week of March. 'However, now it is reduced to only 8 to 10 feet,'' they added. People in the valley experienced the hottest night yesterday when the minimum temperature was recorded at above 22 degrees Celsius. Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the mace of Shiva, had resigned from the SASB on September 15 last year following the allegations that the ice-lingam was artificial. The High Court, later, dismissed the writ petition for want of evidence and directed the SASB to take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard the 'Shivalingam'. The Governor gave instructions to the Board officials to ensure various facilities and made it clear that adequate steps would be taken to preserve the environment. The Jammu and Kashmir government has asked the devotees not to tamper with the 'Shivalingam' in order to preserve the ice-lingam for a longer period. The authorities cautioned the devotees of using polythene bags, disposable plastic cups, saucers and plastic tents during the pilgrimage besides breaking traffic discipline or trying to overtake each other along the difficult stretches of Pahalgam and Baltal routes. They also urged the pilgrims not to over strain on steep gradients, relax at points that showed warning notices and avoid paying more prices to porters and for accommodation, among other things. The authorities warned that aged ailing and insufficiently clothed pilgrim would in no case be permitted to proceed beyond Pahalgam. 'Any person without a registration card will not be allowed to proceed to the cave shrine,'' they added. 'Carrying or use of alcohol during the pilgrimage is strictly prohibited,'' the authorities said. |
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| KVIB imparts training to new entrepreneurs | |||
| GK NEWS NETWORK | June 18, 2007 | ||
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Islamabad, June 18: J&K Khadi & Village Industries Board has started a campaign of sponsoring of artisans and also imparting trainings to new entrepreneurs. The mission of rural industrialization is achieved in the first three years of the 11th five years plan, a statement said. R C Sharma, Sectary, KVIB and district officer, Islamabad along with field staff of the district organised contact and awareness programmes at Bradan, Aru, and Saller villages of Tehsil Pahalgam to aware the local rural masses about the different incentives under different schemes of Rural Employment Generation Programme available with the Board, the statement said. The people of these areas are generally earning their livelihood for five to six months during the tourist's season and Amarnath yatra period and most of the male folks are engaged with pony and other small works. In the awareness programme the people of Aru and Bradan villages requested the secretary for starting of training under craft industry and it was decided that the training under embroidery for forty beneficiaries of these two villages especially for women folk shall be started from 1st of next month so that they can start their own ventures under cottage industry, the statement said. |
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| Amarnath - work of track clearance starts | |||
| ANI | June 18, 2007 | ||
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Chandanbadi/Nunkun base camp (Jammu and Kashmir), June 18: Kashmir has geared up for the annual pilgrimage to the hugely revered and popular Amarnath cave shrine, starting from June 30.The work of the clearance of the track from Pahalgam to the Amarnath cave is almost complete. "We have started the work of track clearance. It will be complete by June 20. The locals can start taking their stuffs and other materials for the pilgrimage after June 20," said Tuffail Matoo, Chief Executive Officer, Pahalgam Development Authority. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which looks after the annual affairs, has made 45 rest shelters at various points along the 14 kilometer-track to pilgrimage. The board has also made 2300 environment friendly toilets, 400 more than previous years. Apart from this, the Board has also given permission to locals to set up 4300 tents and 720 shops. About 120 organisations will distribute free meals to the pilgrims. Security has been tightened for the Pahalgam and Baltal route, with soldiers patrolling the entire stretch. "Army has done a commendable job. They have assured that there will be safe, secure and comfortable journey to Amaranath," said Lieutenant Colonel A. K. Mathur, Army spokesman, Kashmir. In the past, the Amarnath pilgrimage has been targeted by militants on several occasions. Majority of the residents depends on the seasonal pilgrimage for their livelihood. One of the local villagers, Irfan said: "We are dependent on pilgrimage for our living. We have been doing this for last 60-70 years." This year, the pilgrimage will conclude on August 28. |
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| Do not tamper with Shivalingam: J-K Govt to Amarnath pilgrims | |||
| Bureau Report | June 15, 2007 | ||
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Srinagar, June 15: The Jammu and Kashmir government has asked the devotees intending to undertake pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath this year not to touch or tamper with the ice 'Shiva Lingam (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva)'. The Directorate of Tourism has issued dos and don'ts for the devotees to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Subject to the weather conditions, the annual two-month-long pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir would commence simultaneously from both traditional Pahalgam and shorter Baltal routes on June 30 to end on August 28. In its advertisement, the Directorate asked the pilgrims not to touch or tamper with the holy 'Shivalingam'. It has also asked the devotees not to place or throw anything on the ice-lingam. The appeal comes in the wake of a religious controversy over the alleged tampering with the 'ice-lingam' at the holy cave shrine last year which forced the authorities to order a judicial inquiry into the matter and also resulted in the resignation of a senior member from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, headed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha. Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of Charri-Mubarak Swami Amarnath (holy mace of Lord Shiva), had resigned from the SASB on September 15 last year following the controversy. A public interest litigation was also filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, seeking directions against the board for allegedly raising an artificial ice 'Shivalingam' at the holy cave. The one-man judicial commission of Justice (retd) K K Gupta later gave a clean chit to the board and absolved it of all the charges. The High Court later dismissed for want of evidence the writ petition with directions to the SASB to take all the necessary measures to protect and safeguard the 'Shivalingam'. According to an official statement here recently, the ice 'Shivalingam' at the holy cave shrine has formed fully till now. The Tourism Directorate also asked the devotees not to use polythene, disposable plastic cups, saucers and glasses in around the routes to the holy cave shrine. It further cautioned the devotees against using polythene bags and plastic tents during the pilgrimage, breaking traffic discipline or trying to overtake each other along the difficult stretches of both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. The Directorate also urged the pilgrims not to overstrain on steep gradients, relax at points where there are warning notices and not to pay more than the prices fixed for porters, ponies, dandies, ration, firewood and accommodation. It further warned that aged, infirm, ailing and insufficiently clothed pilgrim would in no case be permitted to proceed beyond Pahalgam. An intending pilgrim without a registration card would not be allowed to proceed to the cave shrine and asked to turn back. ''carrying or use of alcohol during the pilgrimage is strictly prohibited,'' the Directorate said. |
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| Not Srinagar, go Pahalgam this summer | |||
| CNN-IBN | June 15, 2007 | ||
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Srinagar: While most parts of the country continue to be in the grip of a severe heat wave, the rising temperature is burning the valley as well. At 35 degrees, Srinagar is like a furnace, something that visiting tourists do not expect. But there are plenty of options. A 100 km south of Srinagar is Pahalgam - a resort where the water is still ice cold, therefore making it an ideal getaway from the blazing sun. You can raft, take a pony ride or even dance on the rocks. And tourists simply love it. "It's very pleasant. The water is very cold. I've just done the rafting and I really enjoyed,' says a tourist, A K Sinha. But the most interesting thing is to see foreign backpackers back in the valley. Lucky and Sylvinia who have come from Switzerland seemed to be having a nice time. "We came here yesterday, its beautiful its nature nice mountains, people really should come to Kashmir,' says Lucky. Sylvinia added, 'In the beginning it was hard for me because I came from a different culture and everything is different but I was not afraid and just was different and now I like it very much.' So if Kashmir is on your mind this summer, think Pahalgam because Srinagar maybe burning at 35 degrees but its still 20 degrees in Pahalgam. |
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| Over 9,100 pilgrims register for Amarnath yatra | |||
| PTI | June 12, 2007 | ||
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JAMMU: Over 9,100 people have registered themselves for the pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva at Amarnath, which is starting from June 30, with 400 registering on Tuesday, official sources said. "Over 400 pilgrims have registered themselves at various registration counters on Tuesday. With this a total of over 9,100 have been registered for Amarnath yatra till now," they said. This year, the state government has reduced the quota to 2,30,220 as against 4,99,720 last year, they said. The registration counters have been set up at 87 branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank across the country, of which 16 are in Delhi, 14 in Uttar Pradesh, nine each in Punjab and Maharashtra, four each in West Bengal, Karnataka, Gujarat and Goa, three in Himachal Pradesh, two each in Madhya Pradesh and Kerala and one each in Bihar, Chandigarh, Chattisgarh and Uttranchal. The registration for yatra started from June 1 this year and the first batch of pilgrims will leave for the holy cave from MAM stadium, the base camp for pilgrimage, on June 30. |
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| Tourists revel in Pahalgam snow | |||
| NDTV | June 3, 2007 | ||
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In the last two weeks, there has been regular snowfall in Pahalgam due to western disturbances. Snow on the peaks has sent a chill through the region. The unusual summer snow has made the mercury dip with night temperature going down to around 5 degrees centigrade, 10 degrees below normal. In Pahalgam and away from the Mumbai heat, Sandeep Shah and his family chilled out. For the last three days it's been very cold and they are enjoying it. The hotel is taking all care to see that they are comfortable. The use of wood in making these rooms keeps them warm. If the cold is too biting, they provide us with heaters. Their quilts and blankets are so warm that one doesn't feel cold,'' said Sandeep Shah, Tourist from Mumbai. ''We have sweaters with us. Rooms in huts and tents have heaters and blankets. We don't feel cold inside the rooms,'' said Rajesh Patni, Tourist from Pune. Anwar Bakshi, whose Island Resorts provides comfort to tourists flocking to these mountains has made winter arrangements for tourists in summer quite unusual. Icy winds are now blowing round-the-clock in the area. ''We are facing extreme weather here but we provide tourists with all comforts like hot water bottles and electric blankets, Vis- -vis clothing we do inform them please be well geared up for the cold,'' said Anwar Bakshi, MD, Island Resorts. Tourists enjoy this kind of weather. And that's why hotels and guesthouses have been packed with tourists for the last two weeks. |
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| Weather details for Amarnath pilgrims | |||
| PTI | June 1, 2007 | ||
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Pilgrims for the forthcoming Amarnath yatra can now hope to get accurate weather forecast for the two-month journey commencing from June 30. The Jammu and Kashmir government has acquired the services of the remote sensing and meteorology department for the purpose. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting held at Pahalgam, the base camp for the yatra, under the chairmanship of state Tourism Minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir, an official spokesman said. Telephone and mobile service providers have also been roped in to ensure adequate connectivity from Pahalgam to the 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine during the period of yatra. In addition, a joint control room will be set up at Pahalgam to oversee a smooth yatra and meet any eventuality, the spokesperson said. Mir instructed officers and engineers concerned to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply and the authorities to maintain adequate stocks of essential commodities. He also ordered closure of all hotels and shops, which do not have modern garbage and sewerage disposal systems. Development Commissioner of Aanantnag, G A Peer, said about 113 langars have been accorded permission to install their stalls en route the shrine. |
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| Mahant quits as member of Amarnath Shrine Board | |||
| Tribune News Service | Sept 15, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar, September 15 Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of Chhari Mubarak or the holy mace of Lord Shiva, here today announced his decision to disassociate himself from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) over this year's controversy on artificial Shivalingam. He had been associated with the board, headed by the state's Governor, as one of its members since it had been constituted in 2001. Addressing a press conference at the Akhara building here today, Mahant Giri said that 'raising of an artificial Shivalingam at holy cave this year, reported by electronic and print media had hurt sentiments of the pilgrims'. The reports of an artificial ice lingam or the stalagmite at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath came to light in June this year, within a week after the annual pilgrimage started on June 11. The Mahant, however, did not give any immediate reasons for his decision to quit, even as the Justice K.K. Gupta Committee had submitted its report on the controversy before the conclusion of two-month-long yatra. The Governor as chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, had appointed Justice K.K. Gupta to inquire into the reports of the raising of an artificial ice lingam at the holy cave, who submitted his reports early last month. The Mahant also referred to the recent reports about the decision of the SASB to make the yatra a year-long affair saying that a requisition to DRDO and IIT, Delhi had been sent 'for expert services regarding refrigeration of Hima Lingam'. He added that no such decision of the board was in his knowledge as one of its members. Mahant Giri held that he had 'disassociated himself from this decision of the board because he considers it to be an act against the age-old tradition and against the sanctity of the yatra. In view of these happenings and developments he resigns and disassociates from the membership and the affairs of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board', it was stated. Referring to various developments regarding the artificial lingam, the Mahant said that he had already expressed serious concern over the whole episode and demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court Judge. He blamed the SASB for the artificial lingam adding that the board had admitted that 'dry ice was procured indeed but not for raising an artificial Shivalingam but for cooling the cave'. He said that there were some other reports hurt sentiments of the pilgrims. |
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| Pahalgam villages submerged in flooding | |||
| PTI | Sep 2, 2006 | ||
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SRINAGAR: Most parts of Jammu and Kashmir are experiencing incessant rain since yesterday morning. This has triggered landslides that have blocked the Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh highways. In Anantnag, five bridges over the Lidder and the Bringi nullah, tributaries of the Jhelum, have been washed away due to a heavy rainfall leading to a rise in the water level. These included three bridges at Akoora, Sakhdas and Wapzan over Lidder and Khalhar and Soafshali over the Bringi nullah. Over 50 villages in Pahalgam, Beijbehara, Homeshali Bugh and Kokernag were submerged in flood waters, reports reaching here said. Tourism control rooms have been set up at Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Leh and Kargil. |
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| Fake shiva lingam: Temple gets clean chit | |||
| IANS | Aug 18, 2006 | ||
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JAMMU: The one-man inquiry ordered to probe the alleged tampering with the Shivalingam at the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has given a clean chit to the temple board. The shrine attracts a large number of pilgrims during the June-August period when a lingam , a stalagmite formation that is an icon of Lord Shiva of the Hindu trinity, forms naturally. However, media reports suggested the shrine authorities had artificially created the lingam this year, as it did not form naturally. According to sources, the inquiry headed by Justice (retd) KK Gupta of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court found "nothing wrong" at the cave shrine. His inquiry report is likely to be submitted in a few days to Governor Lt Gen (Retd) SK Sinha, who ordered the probe in his capacity as chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). The report says no artificial Shivalingam was installed at the shrine. The inquiry was ordered by Sinha June 29. "It (stalagmite) was all natural, though small in size," the report is said to have concluded on the basis of a personal visit by Gupta to the shrine on July 7, his interaction with local people, security officials and a briefing on the SASB's version of the entire issue. The inquiry report also took into account the opinion of experts, recommended by the shrine board. A delegation of Hindu pilgrims, the Amarnath Yatra Welfare Organisation, had met President APJ Abdul Kalam August 3 and sought his intervention in the matter. They urged Kalam to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, or an inquiry by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, to bring out the truth. |
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| Amarnath pilgrimage ends | |||
| The Hindu | Aug 10, 2006 | ||
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SRINAGAR: Amid stepped up violence in Kashmir and charges of tampering with the Amarnath shrine, the two-month long pilgrimage to the cave in South Kashmir ended on Wednesday. Nearly 3,00,000 devotees paid obeisance. A special puja was performed after Mahant Dipindra Giri took the holy mace to the cave, which stands at an altitude of 3,880 metres. Governor Lt. Gen (retd.) S. K. Sinha, who is also Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, was present. The arrival of the mace, commonly known as `charri mubarak,' marks the culmination of the yatra, which began amid tight security on June 10. Several thousand personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the CRPF, the BSF and the Army were deployed in Pahalgam and Baltal. "The yatra concluded today without any incident and tomorrow, the ``charri mubarak'' will return to Pahalgam. It was a smooth affair, which was possible due to the close co-ordination between the various agencies," Abdul Gani Mir, Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag, said. There were two grenade attacks on the pilgrims during the event, leaving a dozen wounded. Militants, however, denied the claims of the police that they were responsible for the attacks. |
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| Environment NGO cautions Govt. against building Amarnath road | |||
| PTI | Aug 6, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar, Aug. 6 (PTI): An NGO working for conservation of environment has cautioned the Jammu and Kashmir Government against the construction of a metalled road to the Amarnath shrine saying it would create ecological imbalance. "The government proposal to construct motorable road to the 3,880 metre high holy cave is bound to create ecological imbalance and would prove disastrous, Human Objective to Protect Environment," a Kashmir-based NGO, said. The Congress-led coalition government recently said it proposes to construct a metalled road upto the shrine from shortest Baltal route to facilitate smooth flow of pilgrims in the shortest possible time. "We believe that the already constructed road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari, the first halting station enroute to the cave, on the traditional route to the cave in itself has proven a mistake of past," the NGO said in a statement. The statement said the Pahalgam-Chandanwari Road has resulted in degradation of the hill slopes, which resulted in slitting up of Sheshnag stream at several places and has affected the trout breeding areas. Noise and air pollution, dusty roads and landslides are fuelling the fire, the statement said. |
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| `Charri Mubarak` leaves for Amarnath | |||
| PTI | Aug 4, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar, Aug. 4 (PTI): Despite incessant rains, the holy mace of Lord Shiva today left amid chanting of Vedic hymns for the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir to mark the ritual culmination of the annual pilgrimage. Custodian of the 'Charri Mubarak' (mace) Mahant Deepindra Giri led a group of 'sadhus' who offered the saffron-robed mace special prayers at its abode Dashnami Akhara temple at Badshah Chowk in the heart of the city before leaving for Pahalgam around 8 am as per the scheduled programme, official sources said. About 31 sadhus boarded a state transport corporation bus and several other private vehicles at the chowk and left for Pahalgam, where special worship would be performed before onward journey on Sunday afternoon to the 3,880m high holy cave, the sources said. On way to Pahalgam, which serves as the traditional base camp for the annual pilgrimage, worship was performed by the accompanying Sadhus at Sureshwar temple at Sonawar, Shiv temples Pampore and Bijbehara and 'Martand-Tirth' Mattan, the sources said. Rains failed to deter a large number of devotees from visiting the temples and joining the mace on its journey. It is scheduled to reach the holy cave on August 9, marking the conclusion of the two-month yatra. Although the weather along the twin tracks of Baltal and Pahalgam to the shrine was cloudy with intermittent rain, pilgrim traffic was going on smoothly, the sources said. |
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| J&K Ministers squabble over road from Pahalgam to Amarnath | |||
| greaterkashmir | Aug 1, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar, July 31: The differences in government over the construction of macadamized road from Chandanwari to Amarnath came open today with the Minister for Roads and Buildings justifying it and the Forest Minister saying his Ministry's consent is indispensable before executing any such project. The PDP member Nizam-ud-Din Bhat in the Legislative Council raised the issue during question hour asking government whether it is intending to build a metalled road from the Amarnath Shrine to Pahalgam. The Minister for Roads and Buildings Gurcharan Singh Charak in his replay said the road will be constructed in two phases and government already released money for it under CRF. |
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| Quench your thirst, Treish is here | |||
| GK NEWS SERVICE | July 17, 2006 | ||
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Islamabad, July 17: Now onwards you don't need to visit Pahalgam for fresh water. Treish is only a shop away. Internationally certified, Safa Waters Private Ltd on Monday launched its bottled drinking water'Treish that hit the Valley and outside markets. The waters drawn from the origin of Lidder Nallah in Pahalgam is processed and packed at the state-of-the art unit here. 'Treish is put through rigorous tests and treatment ensuring that every drop of water is pure, safe and hygienic,' the company chairman Muhammad Amin said at the inauguration function. 'The system maintained at the ISO and HACCP certified,' he said, 'ensures ideal drinking water with balanced minerals and rich in bicarbonates.' Besides, Treish also confirms to the BIS norms, he said. 'We never compromise with quality. Our promise of purity is based on the ideals of honesty, dedication and diligence,' Amin, who also heads Kanwal Group, asserted. The water will be available in 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 liter and 20 liter containers. 'Qualified chemists and microbiologists carry out regular tests of the product to ensure consistent quality of water,' the company Director, Abdur Rashid said. |
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| Pahalgam faces serious pollution threat, says Govt study | |||
| GreaterKashmir | July 15, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar, July 15: If sustained increase in tourist influx to Pahalgam cheers you up, here is something that will give you a bad taste: a study by Directorate of Ecology and Environment has expressed serious concern over surging scale of pollution and excessive use of polythene materials that chocked streams. 'The heavy rush of yatris creates a condition of excessive pollution of both solid and liquid waste. All the waste'both solid and liquid'drains into the river Lidder causing deleterious effect,' the study notes. According to the study the tourist rush to Pahalgam has marked a staggering 90 percent increase in 2005 from the previous year. 'A total 7,25,788 tourists comprising domestic 2,73,121, foreigners 3899 and locals 4,40,649 have visited Pahalgam during 2005. The place has also received 1,56,000 Amarnath yatris during the said period,' the study says. 'There is no proper way of disposal of night soil of lakhs of tourists and pilgrims when temporary arrangements of makeshift jute toilets are made. Such huge flushing and throwing of night soil disposal can wreak havoc with the water body and apart from it can cause nauseating problems and severe water shortage,' it says. The study maintains that although no industry exists in Pahalgam with severe air emissions, the inflow of heavy vehicles and all types of two-wheelers, four-wheelers, trucks, buses, carriage vehicles, passenger vehicles, yatris, load carrier, Army/security force movement, building material carriage, carriage of tents, etc is disturbing the eco-balance of the place. Blaming the Pahalgam Development Authority for failing to bring in a mechanism for waste disposal system, the study says that no treatment facilities have been incorporated in the proposal plan of PDA. It says an estimated 22 lakh people move to and fro Pahalgam in around 270 vehicles registered with different agencies in Srinagar city. Similarly, an estimated 31.21 lakh people move to and fro Pahalgam in around 468 vehicles registered with different agencies in Islamabad (the figure does not include the locals or otherwise moving in their own vehicles). The study says the amusement park at Pahalgam spiraling over 42 kanal of land on the banks of river Lidder developed by J&K Bank does not augur well for the world famous health resort. 'Pahalgam park is the source of continuous noise pollution. The noise has disturbed the entire ecosystem of that area,' the study says. Quoting Municipal figures the study says the Pahalgam town creates 300 quintals of solid garbage, Sarbal 100 quintals, Chandanwari 100 quintals. There is just one site at Sarbal measuring four kanals with no lighting facilities used for dumping the garbage. The study says that the PDA plan proposal suffers from huge lacunas. Even as the plan proposes road improvement, upgradation, renovation and development, there is no mention about getting the environmental clearance from state government. The study says after the enactment of Environment Protection Act 1986 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) became the statutory tool. As per the rules no new project can be undertaken unless it is accorded environmental clearance. 'However the authorities are ignoring this part while devising developmental plans for the ecologically fragile place,' the study says. The study suggests that the government need to frame eco-tourism policies and Pahalgam should be declared as a silence zone. |
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| Amarnath yatra resumes after 3 days | |||
| PTI | July 15, 2006 | ||
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SRINAGAR: After remaining suspended for three days due to inclement weather, the Amarnath yatra resumed on Saturday with over 8000 pilgrims leaving for the cave shrine since morning. Nearly 8000 pilgrims left from Pahalgam and Baltal routes to the cave shrine on Saturday, Madan Mantoo, Spokesman of Amarnath Shrine Board said. In addition, he said 242 pilgrims left for the 3880 metre high cave shrine by air. The yatra remained suspended for the past three days because of snowfall and rains en route to the cave making the track slippery. However, 5372 stranded pilgrims had darshan at the cave shrine on Friday, Mantoo said. Mantoo termed media reports suggesting that 200 pilgrims had narrow escape on Friday when their tents were buried under soil and mudslides at Baltal base camp as factually incorrect. Landslides and mudslides occurred due to torrential rains but there was no threat to life as such because the pilgrims had been shifted to pre-fabricated accommodation erected by at the base camp, mantoo said. |
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| 4000 yatris stranded due to rains and snow | |||
| PTI | June 13, 2006 | ||
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Four thousand yatris are stranded on the track to Amarnath Cave shrine after heavy rain and snowfall in the hilly areas of South Kashmir. Officials said 1000 yatris are stranded at Panjtarni while 3000 yatris are held up at Sheeshnag. Meanwhile, Mahaguns Top, the highest point on the Pahalgam-Cave track, recorded a snowfall of 10 inches, authorities said. The annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine remained suspended for the second successive day on Thursday due to heavy snowfall and rains. |
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| Newly-found Amarnath cave open for public: J&K govt | |||
| DH News Service Srinagar | July 10, 2006 | ||
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Situated at Chandanwari, the cave houses 13 Shiv lingams and three deities and was discovered three years ago by two locals. If weather God permits, pilgrims can visit the newly discovered Amarnath cave at Chandanwari this year. Jammu and Kashmir government has agreed that anybody wishing to visit the newly discovered caves can do so provided proper precautions are taken. The newly found cave is situated at Chandanwari and houses 13 Shiv lingams and three deities. The cave was discovered three years ago by two locals Ghulam Qadir Bogan and Haji Rafiq Bogan. After the discovery, senior officials led by then Commissioner Tourism Parvez Dewan visited the site and found the relics in the cave. Officials manning the yatra said the cave is open and anyone can visit the shrine any time. But due to snowfall, the roads leading to this cave are blocked currently. However, the biggest problem the authorities are currently facing is of security. The annual Amarnath yatra involves a huge number of security force jawans to man the area. Several hundred people have been killed in various carnages during the last 15 years. Official sources said the new cave will be thrown open a massive blanket and security forces are needed so that no ultra is able to create any nuisance. 'We have to take care of all the things. But I am hopeful that matters will be sorted out and all the hurdles will be removed for smooth yatra to this new cave shrine where devotees would like to visit and have darshan', said a security force official. Director General of Tourism M Saleem Beig said the government has not banned anybody from going to these newly discovered caves. 'Anybody can go and have a darshan of holy lingam in the newly discovered caves. However there is a problem of weather and security. If a yatri takes proper precaution, he or she can visit the cave and pay his or her obeisance to lord Shiva', he said. CEO of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Dr Arun Kumar said that the Board is authorized to take care of the ancient holy Amaranth cave and other shrines do not come under its purview. 'We are responsible for the ancient Amarnath cave. As far as the newly discovered cave is concerned, we do not have any jurisdiction over it because the SASB Act gives us responsibility for ancient cave only. If government wants to extend our jurisdiction to the newly discovered cave, they shall have to amend the constitution', Dr Kumar said. |
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| Pahalgam police holds 3 SOG personnel for extortion | |||
| KNS | July 10, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar: Three members of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Police have been arrested for extorting money from a hotelier in famous health resort Pahalgam on Saturday night. According to local news agency KNS, constables Sanjay Saraf (3811/S), Idhries Ahmad (1719/a) and Muhammad Yaqoob (86/IRP3rd) were arrested when they were threatening the owner of PK Cottage at Pahalgam and demanding money from him. The police who were patrolling in the area after hearing the screams rushed to the hotel and tried to caught hold of the accused. A scuffle, said the KNS, occurred between the police and SOG personnel. Police however were able to arrested the trio. Police recovered Rs 38,000 from the SOG men, which had been extorted from the hotel owner. The police also recovered a fake gun from their possession, the news agency added. |
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| Yatra sparks annual slug-fest | |||
| Statesman News Service | June 26, 2006 | ||
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SRINAGAR, June 26: Notwithstanding a change of guard in Jammu and Kashmir, once again this year the former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's party, the People's Democratic Party, has entered into a confrontation with the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, with both sides accusing each other of sabotaging tourism in the state. The SASB is an autonomous body headed by the Governor Lt-Gen. (retd) SK Sinha which manages the annual Amarnath pilgrimage to the distant Himalayas in south Kashmir. This is for the second year in a row that the PDP and the Raj Bhavan are at loggerheads with each other. Last year the then chief minister, the Mufti, and his daughter Ms Mehbooba Mufti had entered into an argument with the Raj Bhavan over the duration of the pilgrimage. The Raj Bhavan had ultimately emerged victorious after a J&K High Court had issued a judgement in its favour for the duration of the pilgrimage to be two months. This year, with the yatra starting on 11 June, the PDP president, Ms Mufti, issued a statement alleging that the SASB was charging pony and tent owners from Kangan and Pahalgam Rs 2,400 as registration fee, en route to the Amarnath shrine and was 'isolating the locals from the pilgrimage'. The board, however, denied the allegations and a spokesman of SASB flayed the statement issued by the PDP chief. 'The Shrine Board believes the Amarnath yatra to be incomplete without the active support of the local population,' the spokesman said, describing as baseless the allegation that ponywallas and labourers where being charged Rs 2,400 for extending their services to the pilgrims. Coming down heavily on Ms Mufti, the spokesman termed the allegation, of SASB attempting to drive a wedge between the locals and the pilgrims, as mischievous and unfortunate. The Board has hit hard on the Muftis saying: 'Such a surprising comment by a responsible political party only vitiates the atmosphere of tranquility.' The Board also allayed fears about environmental degradation in the area due to the yatra and said that elaborate measures had been taken to preserve and maintain the ecology. 'The SASB chairman, Governor Lt-Gen. (retd) SK Sinha believes that this important yatra is not possible without the hospitality and cooperation of the community, especially the locals,' the SASB spokesman said. Pilgrim Toll Two pilgrims from Maharashtra and Gujarat have died during the annual trek to the Himalayan cave shrine of Amarnath, taking the total number of deaths in this year's yatra to 11, officials said today. Haldankar Madhukar (62) from Pune died yesterday at Sheshnag on the Pahalgam route to the shrine located at an altitude of 3,880m, they said. Gujarat resident Teetha Kanth, who had been admitted to the Soura Medical Institute here, died this morning, officials said, adds PTI. |
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| Plans to boost state`s tourism sector; Master Plan for Pahalgam | |||
| PTI | June 24, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar, June 24: Cabinet has approved the Pahalgam Master Plan to help develop Pahalgam as a world class tourist resort. Jammu and Kashmir government has come up with a host of measures to boost the state's tourism sector, including improving infrastructure at the popular hill resorts, developing heritage and village tourism and setting up Tourism Reception Centres here. A sum of Rs 14 crores have been construction of Tourist Reception Centres at different places in the state, Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said, addressing an official meeting here today. He said the Centre had agreed to release Rs 12 crores to the Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Patnitop development authorities for the upgradation of infrastructure at the hill resorts and Rs 16 crores to eight other bodies, which have been recently formed for infrastructure upkeep. In addition, the Centre had released Rs seven crores to develop 10 villages of the state as tourist hamlets, he said. About Rs 2.50 crores would be spent on heritage tourism in the state, he added. Baig also urged the officers to complete the infrastructure projects to meet the increasing rush of tourists. Baig said work on the Pahalgam club and Jammu golf club would be completed by the year end. |
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| Complaint cell for Yatra pilgrims | |||
| PTI | June 24, 2006 | ||
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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department on Saturday said it has set up a complaint registration cell to enable Amarnath pilgrims register their grievances in case of non-availability of essential commodities. The telephone numbers of the complaint registration cell have been publicized and pilgrims could register their complaints in respect of non-availability of essential commodities, if any, a spokesman of the department said. He said the department has stocked 55 quintals of rice, three quintals of sugar, 14.80 quintals of wheat and 20,000 liters of kerosene oil at Nunwan base camp for the pilgrims. Similarly 263 quintals of rice, 172 quintals of sugar, 158 quintals of wheat flour have been stocked at Pahalgam, he said. |
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| Amarnath meltdown: Don't blame it on global warming | |||
| Hindustan Times | June 22, 2006 | ||
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New Delhi. Glaciologists are skeptical that global warming is to be blamed for the damp squib at Amarnath this year. There could be several reasons for the shiv linga not forming this year ' inadequate snowfall, melting due to high temperature, the delay in snow formation, says rormer director of glaciology, Geological Survey of India, Deepak Srivastava said. The Amarnath cave is formed of limestone and calcareous rocks. When snow melts on top of the cave, water seeps inside and trickles down. Due to the fall in pressure and the low temperature in the cave, the water again freezes on the ground, growing over time into a shiv linga, not one but many. The global warming theory does not seem plausible, Srivastava said. "It cannot be possible that global warming only takes place on the roof of the cave. Even now one can see ice in the tracks from photographs of the area.' Another important reason could be clogging and blocking of the main capillary system through which water flowed into the cave due to dust and soil, he added. VK Raina, glaciologist and retired Deputy Director General Geological Survey of India echoing the views. The process of shiva linga formation starts in December - January. 'It fully forms by July and then starts melting. By early September you did not see a shiva linga,' he added. There are two possible reasons for the linga not forming this year: less snowfall and clogging of cracks through which water percolates down. 'One must compare satellite pictures of snow fall of past 4- 5 years and relate them to size of shiva lingas formed because less snow fall has been a regular feature for nearly 10 years,' he added. One must find out if there are any blockages in the fissures through which water percolates down or any diversion of the water, he said. As cave water falls into Amarganga waterfall about half a kilometer away, one must see if there is less water there this year to draw a conclusion, he added. Or maybe, as many shocked devotees would like to believe, miracles have abandoned this age of skepticism. |
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| Amarnath cave lingam: Mahant Giri seeks probe by SC | |||
| Tribune News Service | June 19, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar, Mahant Deependera Giri custodian of the holy mace of Lord Shiva, here today disapproved the two-month-long duration of the Amarnath yatra, which had hardly any religious significance, except for the pilgrimage of over a month concluding on the occasion of Shrawan Poornima. He said darshan of the holy ice lingam at the cave shrine and the pilgrimage of the cave were not separate, but lamented that these were being projected as separate features. The Mahant, who has been associated with annual pilgrimage of Amarnath for more than two decades and custodian of holy mace for the past 14 years, was talking to mediapersons here today. He said the yatra period including various rituals concludes within a period of one month, which begins with the Viyaspurnima on July 11 this year. This year's yatra concludes as usual on Shrawan Poornima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan on August 9. Accordingly, the pilgrimage with the holy mace led by the Mahant would leave here on August 4 via the traditional route of Pahalgam. Prior to this the holy mace would be taken to Pahalgam on the occasion of Vyaspoornima on July 11, he said. This year the annual yatra that commenced on June 11 is being held for two months like the last year. Blaming the Amarnath Shrine Board for the reports of tampering with ice lingam, the Mahant felt that it could be a conspiracy with ulterior motives. He reiterated his demand for appointing a judicial commission of a sitting Supreme Court Judge, and said that 'it was yet not clear whether there has been tampering or not'. He, however, added that the pictures of ice lingam that have appeared so far this year indicated that it was 'different and not looking like natural'. He added that he was of the firm opinion that formation of Himlingam is a natural process and must not be interfered with by scientific artifice and procedures. Referring to the extension in the duration of yatra from the limited duration of a few weeks, the Mahant held that it was not proper to associate it with the tourism and economy. The Amarnath Shrine Board, headed by State Governor SK Sinha had been of the view that the extension of the yatra would help boost the economy of the state and particularly those dependent on tourism. While over four lakh pilgrims joined the yatra last year, the Shrine Board expects this year's figures to touch five lakhs. The Mahant held that the age-old yatra had been a purely religious affair but was being projected in a different way. He pointed out that the yatra had increased during the period of turmoil in the valley. Threats were issued on the occasions of yatra in 1994 and 1995 by some militant organisations and 'out of reaction many people came in', he commented. The Mahant recalled that the holy mace was shifted to Jammu with the eruption of militancy between 1990 and 1996, but later in 1997 it had been restored to its original place, Akhara Building here. Having been shifted from here on the insistence of the then government, the holy mace was being taken out from Jammu during those years. Asked about the threat to the environment due to heavy rush of pilgrims in the natural surroungings along the 50 km long distance between Pahalgam and the cave, the Mahant said that due care was being taken in this regard. He added that there was need to increase the infrastructure in the area, particularly Pahalgam, so as to boost the economy and help those dependent upon tourism. |
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| Committee to study impact on environment by pilgrim influx | |||
| PTI | June 22, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar: Concerned over the impact on the environment with lakhs of pilgrims set to participate in Amarnath yatra, a four-member environment committee of Jammu and Kashmir assembly will visit Pahalgam, the base camp for the yatra, for an on-the-spot study. Since lakhs of pilgrims are likely to participate in the yatra this year, the committee would see to it that the environment is not disturbed, official sources said today. Headed by NC leader Mubarak Gul, the committee would interact with officers of Pahalgam Development Authority, tourism department, environment and like departments and see the arrangements made for the ongoing yatra especially from environment point of view, the sources said. The committee met here yesterday and discussed various issues concerning the environment and reviewed the impact of ban on polythene imposed by the state High Court at tourist resorts and hospitals. Expressing concern over the alarming situation of pollution hazards and non-enforcement of environment guidelines by industrial units in the state, the committee emphasised the need for strictly enforcing guidelines issued by the environment department and pollution control board for maintaining the ecological balance, the sources said. The other members of the committee, include two former ministers Mohammad Sarfraz Khan and Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi and MLA Shahjehan Dar. |
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| Jammu and Kashmir govt plans to develop golf courses in the state | |||
| PTI | June 22, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government plans to develop four world-class golf courses to promote adventure and eco tourism in the state, a senior government official said here. Golf courses would be developed at Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Jammu, said Principal Secretary Tourism Anil Goswami at a meeting with a working group on tourism yesterday. Winter sports infrastructure is being developed in Gulmarg and the state is keen to promote adventure tourism, he said. Representatives from the tourism sector present at the meeting stressed on development of eco-friendly circuits in the state. They asked the government to go for perspective planning of 20 years and to introduce a conflict insurance scheme. The representatives demanded proper disposal of sewage at all tourist destinations including Srinagar, upgradation of roads, besides development of ropeways and other facilities for the promotion adventure tourism. |
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| Hindus continue trek to Kashmir shrine despite violence, controversy | |||
| AFP | June 22, 2006 | ||
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SRINAGAR, India (AFP) - Thousands of Hindu pilgrims are still trekking to a holy site in Indian Kashmir despite a grenade attack and allegations that the icy shrine had been doctored, police said. "Some 4,362 pilgrims left on foot for onward trek to the cave shrine on Wednesday despite the lingam controversy and the attack," a police spokesman told AFP from Pahalgam, an important resting point in south Kashmir. He said several thousand more left for the trek on Thursday. The shrine to the Hindu deity Shiva is an ice floe in a mountain cave that resembles a fertility symbol called a lingam. It is located at 3,800 metres (12,800 feet) in the Himalayan foothills and is reached after several days of trekking. But last week, the first batch of devotees to arrive since the annual pilgrimage began on June 11 alleged that the lingam had been hand-made from snow brought from higher elevations after it had failed to form naturally. The Amarnath shrine board, which manages the site, denied doctoring the object but a top Hindu priest has called for a judicial probe. On Wednesday an attack by suspected Islamic separatist rebels on a bus injured five pilgrims. The region's leading rebel group. Hizbul Mujahedin, condemned the incident as an "attack on humanity." Authorities expect 500,000 Hindus to take part in this year's two-month event. The annual pilgrimage has been targeted by militants in the past but until Wednesday it had not been attacked in the past three years. |
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| Lord Shiva is Angry | |||
| Editorial from GreaterKashmir | June 19, 2006 | ||
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Nature has its own way of approving or disapproving human actions and behaviour. It is an established fact that whenever man has tried to defy nature or go against the natural process, there is a backlash. The holy pilgrimage to the abode of Lord Shiva at Amarnath has traditionally been limited to a week or ten days preceding the Rakhsha Bandan festival. For almost a century sadhus from all over the country have been going on this pilgrimage through the Pahalgam-Sheshnag route accompanying the holy mace. However, for the last few years, the traditional pilgrimage has been totally modified and two different routes have been opened up. Instead of a few thousand people who would accompany the traditional yatra, it is now hundreds of thousands of people going for over two months. The yatra came into prominence because of a ban imposed by a militant group, in early nineties. It was an angry reaction to this directive of the extremists that the Hindu fundamentalist organisations converted the yatra into a challenge against the secessionist forces. It slowly turned into a match between the two extremist view points. As more and more attacks against the yatra continued from year to year, the number of yatris especially younger ones correspondingly started growing and reached an all time high of about half a million last year. The result has been that the pious religious pilgrimage of the faithful has assumed the shape of virtually a battle for Hindutva or Separatism. Kashmir is known for religious tolerance and religious extremism of every kind is totally alien to this 'abode of Saints'. It is the land of Reshis, the mystics. Apart from human intervention, the nature itself has given many warnings about the uncontrolled march of a large number of pilgrims on this hazardous route. In 1996, over 70 thousand pilgrims had gone up at one time when the weather suddenly turned bad. A large number of pilgrims lost their lives. The unofficial figures of casualties were much higher. It was because of this tragedy that the Government of India had appointed an inquiry commission headed by a prominent person namely Dr.Nitish Sengupta. He gave a very elaborate report suggesting a number of measures to prevent re-occurrence of such an unfortunate tragedy. The most important recommendation was to limit the period of the yatra to one month and the number to a maximum of 5,000 per day from both routes. All the yatris had also to be registered. The system had been operating smoothly till the Shrine Board set up for overseeing the Yatra suddenly became hyperactive three years back. Instead of further improving the Yatra by streamlining various procedures, it started defying the very recommendations of the inquiry commission by prolonging the duration of the yatra as well as by increasing the daily intake. On one hand this stretched to limits both the security as well as the management of the yatra and on the other a political tussle started between the State Government and the Shrine Board. In addition, the influx of such a large number of people, both the pilgrims as well as the organisers of various facilities and security personnel put a tremendous pressure on this ecologically fragile mountain environment. The entire sacred route is littered with tons of garbage which has transformed this once famous mountain trek into a filthy trail posing a danger not only to the pilgrims but to the entire population of the valley. This year's Yatra has started on an ominous note. Firstly, the Ice lingam which is the very basis of this holy pilgrimage has not formed there. Secondly, the very first batch of Yatris has failed to reach the holy cave and got stranded due to an unusual snow fall on the route as well as at the cave. In fact couple of Pilgrims died due to cold and people had to be airlifted from the cave site. Yatra had always been held either in July or in August and prolonging it to June does not seem to be a correct decision. All these events are surely some signs from nature which need to be respected and acted upon before it unleashes its full fury and anger in the form of a severe backlash. However, we will have no right then to put as usual blame on 'natural calamity' after having ourselves violated some basic safety norms. |
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| Pahalgam hotel contractors form association | |||
| GreaterKashmir | June 19, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar: Pahalgam hotel contractors formed an association 'Pahalgam Hotel Contractors' Association' (PHCA) in a meeting conducted under the chairmanship of Ghulam Hassan Lone and Haji Ghulam Muhammad. The meeting discussed various issues relating the hotel contractors in Pahalgam, the association in a statement here said today. The statement said it was revealed in the meeting that around 95 per cent of hotels in Pahalgam are run on contract basis. 'So a need was felt to form an association which would take up the issues of the hotel contractors to the agencies concerned.' Following members were nominated as office bearers: Ramesh Seru of hotel Glacier as president; Muhammad Ayub of Shahijaha Guest House as vice president; Bilal Ahmad Malik of Crystal Cottage Hotel as secretary. Later, the association called on SHO Pahalgam and DSP Traffic and apprised them of the problems faced by the hotel contractors. Both SHO and DSP Traffic assured the delegation of addressing their problems. |
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| "Security forces mistreating and harassing Amarnath pilgrims" | |||
| Media Release, indiadaily.com Editorial | June 18, 2006 | ||
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It is not only inclement weather that has created impediments in Amarnath Yatra but it is the alleged harassment at the hands of security forces that has compelled some of the Yatris to return to their homes without having any darshan of the holy shrine. Today, around 1000 Yatris protested against the management accusing them of misleading the Yatris. "Since today morning they have announced ten times that Yatra has been restarted and when we lined up here our 14 people among a group of 56 were allowed to proceed towards the holy shrine and we were directed to return. Now we have lost the contact with our family members else we could have returned home without having any Darshan here. The security forces are troubling us unnecessarily and this harassment and humiliations is intolerable," wailed Himant Patel a resident of Pasoliu village - Surat Gujrat. Besides these allegations most of the Yatris believe that the security forces are doing the same for minting money from Yatris. "The checking is a mere eyewash. It is actually money minting exercise. We are in a fix. In morning they announce that Yatra has restarted and Yatris are allowed to proceed. But later they tell us that Yatra has been stopped. Above all, this is a cumbersome process as they waste our precious time. We are not against it but frisking of one vehicle takes at least 15 minutes. And you can imagine around 250 vehicles are in queue waiting for their turn," said a Yatri Mukesh Nayar a resident of Amritsar. He added that only 15 to 30 vehicles could make it. Rest of the vehicles are directed to return to the base camp. "In one hour you can not expect 150 to 250 vehicles to pass after thorough checking. Today when we protested against it, the special task force personnel beat us mercilessly. They have different excuses to narrate," said Nayar. Another Yatri K U Patel who is from Baroda-Gujrat is furious over the present government saying that the arrangements are negligible. "Some families have lost their contact with their members as some among them have been allowed to proceed for Darshan and some have been stopped by the security forces. Some of the Yatris were discussing about their return without having any Darshan of Amarnath shrine," he added. Patel observed that he would return to his home with a bad impression of the arrangements of the government of Jammu and Kashmir. "I will tell the people in Baroda that not to visit for any Darshan in Kashmir. As there are security forces checking and frisking Yatris again and again. Besides, there are no arrangements in Pahalgam and Baltal. Above all the security forces do not allow most of the Yatris to proceed for Darshan. They simply create hurdles in Yatra," observed Patel. Arvind Mishra a resident of Ahmedabad is aghast over the lack of adequate arrangements. "The weather is ok but the security forces do not allow us saying that weather condition is bad. If that is the condition then why do not they announce it earlier. In morning they tell us Yatra has resumed and when we wait for hours together we are being asked to return. Besides, there are no arrangements in Base Camp," said Mishra. "Instead of Rs 500 hotel owners charge us more than Rs 1500. We are fed up over these so called arrangement," said another Yatri pleading anonymity. When contacted spokesman of Shrine board Madan Mantoo said that board has made adequate arrangements for the Yatris and there is no such problem. "After heavy rains and snowfall at various places along the track to holy shrine of Amarnath, a fresh batch of 5317 Yatris were allowed to proceed for Darshan from Baltal today. Pehalgam route Yatra also started at 11:45 but we have no figures so far. There are adequate arrangements made by the shrine board. We are expecting almost 5 lakhs Yatris this year," said Mantoo. Dr Arun Kumar Chief Executive Officer Shri Amaranth Shrine Board, when contacted said, "We have made adequate arrangements for Yatris. And as far as the hotel rates are concerned it is upto tourism department. About unnecessary harassment I will talk to divisional commissioner as well ass to deputy commissioner. Actually Yatris must be getting impatient." |
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| Lingam issue: Pilgrims want action against organisers | |||
| Yudhvir Rana & M Saleem Pandit,TIMES NEWS NETWORK | June 18, 2006 | ||
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AMRITSAR/SRINAGAR: The lingam controversy has left the Dharam Prachar Mandal fuming. Ram Mahajan, president of the Hindu body, said his organisation had written a letter to government seeking action against the organisers. "Those who committed this sin should be punished as they were responsible of hurting our religious sentiments," he said. Other pilgrims agreed, saying the intentions of the organisers were suspect. "It shows that they are only interested in making money from devotees. That is why they didn't tell the truth fearing cancellation of the yatra by many pilgrims," said a devotee. Deepak Sharma, an Amritsar resident who returned from Amaranth, said: "This was the most disappointing pilgrimage I have done in my life. No one has the right to do this," Arun Kumar said that the weather has now turned cold in the Pahalgam region and there has been some snowfall. So, the Shiva lingam in the cave at present was natural. "The man-made lingam has melted. What you see now is the natural one," he said. Asked how langarwallas got into the shrine and created a lingam ' as claimed by the Board ' Kumar said members of the Board go to the shrine every now and then but they never felt the need to lock up the Shiva lingam until now. Earlier the yatra used to start in July and last till Rakhi day in August. For the last few years, the duration has been increased. |
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| Man-made stalagmite upsets devotees, priest demands probe | |||
| IANS (newKerela.com) | June 18, 2006 | ||
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Srinagar: Devotees undertaking the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the Kashmir Valley are upset that a naturally-formed ice stalagmite believed to be the icon of Hindu god Lord Shiva has this year been replaced by a man-made one, with the chief priest and custodian of the holy mace demanding a probe by a sitting judge of the apex court. In a press statement released here Sunday, Mahant Deependra Giri said that if the "media reports about an artificial 'lingam' having been placed inside the holy cave at Amarnath are true, the act amounted to sacrilege". "If found to be true that the Himlingam has been raised manually or mechanically as reported by the media, it appears to be an act of sacrilege hurting the feelings of the devotees," Giri said. However, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) dismissed the reports as "unfortunate" and asserted "there was no question of tampering with the sanctity of the revered cave shrine by the board". In a statement, the SASB admitted that the lingam started forming very late last month. "A team of board officials had visited the cave shrine in mid May and found lingam formation had not taken place." On allegations about the manmade lingam by SASB, the spokesman said that if that was the intention of the board, then perhaps the Shiva lingam of the original form and size could have been put in place. Meanwhile, devotees returning after the holy darshan or obeisance at the 3,880-metre high Himalayan cave said they were upset that the traditional ice 'lingam', symbolising mythological powers of Lord Shiva, had "vanished" from the cave. "I visited the Amarnath cave shrine today, but was disappointed to note that there was no ice lingam inside," said Naval Kishore of the Hindu holy city of Hardwar in Uttaranchal, who returned to the Baltal base camp after completing the pilgrimage along with his family. The absence of the traditional lingam inside the mountain cave is causing embarrassment to the officials of the Amarnath Shrine Board headed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt. Gen (retd) S.K. Sinha. It is for the first time this year that the annual pilgrimage to the shrine has been extended to two months inside of the conventional one month which culminated with the final darshan and puja on the full moon night of 'Shravan Purnima' that falls in the middle of August. "There was age-old wisdom in the convention. It took everything including the weather around the cave shrine into consideration," said Girdhari Lal, a Kashmiri Pandit whose family has since migrated to the winter capital Jammu after the separati | |||