Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand — In a stunning discovery that has sparked spiritual interest and potential pilgrimage prospects, a naturally formed ice Shivling — resembling the iconic Amarnath Lingam — has been found in the Nelang Valley of Uttarkashi district, close to the India-China border.
This rare formation, located at an altitude of approximately 4,300 meters, was spotted by a 20-member team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) during a high-altitude mountaineering expedition. Remarkably, the formation also includes a shape resembling Nandi, the sacred bull and companion of Lord Shiva.
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Expedition & Discovery
The discovery was part of a strategic initiative following directions from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who had emphasized the development of new trekking and adventure sports destinations as part of the state’s 25th-anniversary celebrations.
As a result, SDRF teams were deployed to explore unexplored and human-inaccessible mountain peaks across the state. On April 5, the SDRF flagged off a mission to the Nelang-Nilapani region, culminating successfully on May 2 with the team’s ascent of a previously unclimbed 6,054-meter peak.
At around 4,300 meters, the team discovered the ice Shivling, bearing a striking resemblance to the famous Amarnath Lingam in Jammu and Kashmir, which is located at an altitude of approximately 3,888 meters.
SDRF has since submitted an official report on the discovery to the Uttarakhand government, suggesting that if given formal recognition, this site could evolve into a major spiritual pilgrimage destination akin to the Amarnath Yatra.
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Proposed Naming: Mount Sindoor
Post-discovery, SDRF initiated the process of naming the mountain peak. One of the proposed names is “Mount Sindoor”, dedicated to the memory of devotees who lost their lives in the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack. The name also commemorates “Operation Sindoor”, launched in their honor.
According to Aparna Yaduvanshi, Commandant of SDRF:
“During the expedition, the team experienced a spiritual connection when they encountered the naturally formed Shivling. It elevated the entire mission from a physical challenge to a divine experience.”
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Tourism & Future Plans
SDRF has confirmed that such adventure-spiritual expeditions will continue in other Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand in the coming months, particularly in August and September 2025, to promote eco-tourism, spiritual exploration, and high-altitude resilience training.
The state is now looking at the potential for establishing a new pilgrimage route that could offer devotees a sacred alternative in the Himalayas, further enhancing Uttarakhand’s identity as “Dev Bhoomi”, the Land of Gods.
