Seven people, including five Yatris and two porters died on Thursday (July 14) in the Pahalgam-Chandanwari track. Of these, two porters died after slipping from the track while five pilgrims died of natural causes.
The cave houses an ice stalagmite structure which wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
The 43-day long yatra commenced on June 30 from the twin tracks traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam in south Kashmir s Anantnag district and 14-km shorter Baltal in central Kashmir s Ganderbal district.