Jammu, July 9:
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Prant, has expressed strong objection to recent remarks concerning the Shri Amarnathji Yatra and the holy Himling, stating that comments by public figures have allegedly triggered objectionable and derogatory discourse on social media.
In a statement, the VHP Prant President said Shri Amarnathji should not be viewed merely as a pilgrimage destination associated with a limited annual period, but as an eternal centre of faith and spirituality for devotees.
According to the organisation, historical and scriptural references indicate that the pilgrimage can be undertaken throughout the year and that there is no religious restriction on its duration. The annual Yatra is conducted for a limited period primarily due to administrative requirements, including security arrangements and the establishment of temporary facilities for pilgrims travelling through difficult terrain.
The VHP said the active pilgrimage is traditionally organised between Jyeshtha Purnima and Shravan Purnima and maintained that the administrative duration of the Yatra should not be interpreted as defining or limiting the spiritual significance of the holy shrine.
“For every devotee, the holy shrine is an eternal, year-round symbol of faith, penance, divinity and spiritual truth,” the statement said.
The organisation criticised recent remarks attributed to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding the melting or disappearance of the Himling. It also objected to comments by PDP leader Iltija Mufti concerning the growing number of pilgrims and its environmental impact.
The VHP alleged that such statements had contributed to a wave of objectionable, mocking and derogatory comments on social media regarding the Himling and its physical manifestation.
The organisation urged public figures to exercise caution while commenting on matters related to religious faith, saying that casual or unwarranted observations regarding the symbolic manifestation of Lord Shiva could hurt the sentiments of devotees.
Highlighting the religious significance of the shrine, the VHP said Lord Shiva is revered in Sanatan Dharma as “Avinashi”—the eternal and imperishable supreme reality beyond the cycles of time, creation and destruction.
“The Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji is not a temporary geographical site but a timeless spiritual centre where devotees believe the divine presence of Mahadev resides permanently, independent of seasonal weather patterns or changes in the physical formation of the ice,” the statement said.
The VHP maintained that questioning, mocking or making casual remarks about the Himling within the sacred cave amounts to disrespecting the beliefs and religious sentiments of crores of Hindus.
Describing the Amarnath Yatra as a sacred journey associated with devotion, sacrifice and spiritual commitment, the organisation said it should not be equated with ordinary leisure tourism or reduced to a subject of political messaging.
At the same time, the VHP rejected what it termed attempts to portray the increasing number of pilgrims solely through the lens of environmental concerns, asserting that the religious importance and sentiments associated with the pilgrimage must be respected.
“The faith of devotees cannot become a subject of casual commentary or political convenience. Any attempt to undermine the sanctity of the Himling or disrespect the belief associated with the Holy Cave will be strongly opposed by followers of Sanatan Dharma,” the statement added.
