In the snow-capped heights near Manali, faith triumphs over freezing temperatures as thousands of devotees flock to Anjani Mahadev Temple. Perched at 11,000 feet, a magnificent 15-20 foot natural ice Shivling has formed, drawing pilgrims in what locals call a ‘mini Amarnath’.
Heavy snowfall and sub-zero conditions haven’t deterred the crowds. Trekkers slip and slide along treacherous paths, yet their resolve remains unshaken. The self-manifested ice lingam, a rare gift of nature, symbolizes divine presence for believers.
Priests recount the site’s sacred history. Saint Baba Prakash Puri once meditated here with followers. Legend holds that Goddess Anjani prayed for a child at this spot, and Lord Shiva appeared, blessing her with a son. Every winter from mid-December to February, the ice Shivling emerges, growing in allure each year.
‘It’s a miracle,’ says one pilgrim who has visited Amarnath twice before. ‘The path is tough, but devotion makes it possible. Seeing Baba Bairnani here feels like a third darshan.’ Groups of women echo the sentiment, their fatigue vanishing upon sighting the icy deity amid breathtaking Himalayan vistas.
This confluence of nature’s fury and spiritual fervor has turned the remote temple into a buzzing pilgrimage hub. Tourists and locals alike are captivated, proving that true faith conquers all obstacles. As temperatures plummet, the ice Shivling stands eternal, inviting more souls to witness its glory.