Elevation: 6,543 m (21,467 ft)
Location: Uttarakhand, India
Range : Gangotri Group, Garhwal Himalaya
Prominence 850 m (2,790 ft)
Shivling is a two summit mountain which rises not far from the snout of the Gangotri Glacier
Due to its unusual shape [which earned it its nickname 'Indian Matterhorn'] and easy access, Shivling is very popular among climbers.
About ten routes have been put up on both of its summits, in spite of the fact that there are still unclimbed peaks not far away.
The Czech Express Route put up during the 1993 season is perhaps the most spectacular line to the summit.
[Regarding its name, connotations of Lord Shiva and the mountain's phallic shape are sometimes mentioned. To the millions of Indian Pilgrims who ventured anywhere near it it was known as Mahadev Ka Ling. or Mahdeo Ka Linga]
When the first British surveyors ( Cpt. John Hogdson and his assistant James Herbert reached Kedarnath in June 1817 they renamed the mountain Mount Moria (in honor of the new Governor General of the East India Company Lord Moria) and looking at the 4 peaks which surround Shivling in a fit religious zeal they renamed the mountains St. George, St Andrew, St. Patrick & St. David.
thankfully this was not allowed to stand and today it is known as Shivling the lesser of Shiva's Abode in the Great Himalayas
Posts
