90% Gone in Days: Amarnath’s Sacred Ice Shivling Vanishes, Leaving Devotees Shocked
The naturally formed ice Shivling at the Amarnath Cave Shrine has reportedly melted by more than 90 per cent within days of the beginning of the annual pilgrimage, leaving devotees deeply concerned and sparking fresh discussions over climate change and the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The sacred ice formation, revered by devotees as Baba Barfani , is created naturally inside the holy cave due to freezing water droplets and favourable climatic conditions. However, its rapid disappearance during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra 2026 has raised concerns among pilgrims and environmental observers.
The early melting of the ice Shivling has surprised many devotees, as the formation is usually visible for a longer duration during the pilgrimage season. The development has once again brought attention to the impact of changing weather patterns on the sensitive Himalayan region.
Reacting to concerns over the melting, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the duration for which the naturally formed ice structure remains cannot be controlled. He added that measures related to regulating the pilgrimage are already being followed.
Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti raised environmental concerns over the rapid melting, linking it to broader issues affecting the Himalayan ecosystem. She highlighted the need for greater attention towards climate change, ecological protection and sustainable management of pilgrimage activities.
Experts have pointed out that the formation and survival of the Amarnath ice Shivling depend on several natural factors, including temperature, snowfall, humidity and airflow inside the cave. Even slight variations in these conditions can affect the size and longevity of the ice formation.
Located at an altitude of around 3,888 metres in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the Amarnath Cave is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Shiva . The naturally occurring ice Shivling has drawn millions of devotees over the years, who undertake the challenging journey to seek blessings at the shrine.
The reported disappearance of nearly the entire ice formation has reignited debate over balancing religious pilgrimage with environmental conservation in the Himalayas. With climate-related changes increasingly affecting natural formations across the region, concerns over protecting such fragile ecosystems continue to grow.