Heartbreak for lakhs of pilgrims! Ice 'Shiva Lingam' at Amarnath cave shrine melts completely

Srinagar: Heartbreak for lakhs of Amarnath pilgrims. Ice lingam of Lord Shiva has melted completely at the Amarnath cave shrine, 34 days before the yatra concludes.

The annual Amarnath pilgrimage in South Kashmir Himalayas began on July 02 and was scheduled to conclude on August 18, the Day of Raksha Bandhan.

After Hizbul commander Burhan Wani's encounter on July 8, the Amarnath Yatra has been badly affected, as it was frequently suspended because of the prevailing law and order situation in Kashmir Valley.

The annual Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 2 this year, saw nearly 1,45,000 pilgrims having 'Darshan' of the deity inside the famous cave shrine situated 3,888 metres above the sea level.

Despite heightened tensions after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, no Yatri has been attacked anywhere in the Valley.

Local Muslims defied curfew restrictions on Wednesday to rescue 20 injured Amarnath pilgrims on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near the Bijbehara town.

Risking their own lives, locals used private vehicles to carry the injured to the hospital.