Those devotees of Lord Shiva who could not visit Amarnath can have a ‘darshan’ of ice lingam at Anjani Mahadev temple near Solang in Manali. The ice lingam here has started forming its shape due to the instant freezing of seeping water in an extremely cold climate.
Anjani Mahadev temple
Hundreds of devotees including tourists have thronged the Anjani Mahadev temple to see the miracle of nature. The night temperature here has dropped below the freezing point. Lingam gets its shape after drops of water from mountains fall on earth and freeze instantly.
Ice lingam would continue rising till March and would attain its height up to 25 feet. According to nearby villagers, the lingam was discovered by a saint some 25 years back and has the same importance for them as has the Amarnath lingam.
2km trek from Solang
The mysterious lingam was so close to us but it remained out of our site for years. Now when it has been discovered, it is the most divine place for us and thousands of tourists who visit this temple.
Anjani Mahadev is accessible only after 2km trek from Solang, 13km from Manali.
Devotees may see lingam till mid April and then it melts away. Anjani Mahadev has become a popular tourist destination for thousands of tourists.
“Chhota Amarnath”
lingam is attracting thousands of tourists every year, dozens of villagers are earning good money after providing horse rides between Solang and Anjani Mahadev temple. Now the temple has been included in must see tourist spots of the Manali while villagers can be seen praying lingam all day. The place is slowly being renowned as “Chhota Amarnath”.
Amarnath of Himachal
The 25-foot high Shiva lingam made of snow and ice at Anjani Mahadev temple near Manali has become a major attraction as hundreds of tourists are reaching here every day to see the miracle of nature.
This ice lingam, due to which the place is called the Amarnath of Himachal, is naturally formed every year during the winter season and is a major tourist attraction.