Shivling (mountain)
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Shivling is a mountain in the Gangotri Group of peaks in the western Garhwal Himalaya, near the snout of the Gangotri Glacier, one of the biggest glaciers in the Himalayas, and Tapovan, a beautiful lush meadows, both being also popular pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. It lies in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, 6 kilometres (4 mi) south of the Hindu holy site of Gaumukh (the source of the Bhagirathi River). Its name refers to its status as a sacred symbol – Shiva Linga. It was called "Matterhorn Peak" by early European visitors because of its similarity in appearance to that Alpine peak. While not of locally great elevation, it is a dramatic rock peak, and the most visually striking peak as seen from Gaumukh; that and the difficulty of the climb make it a famed prize for mountaineers.
Shivling | |
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 6,543 m (21,467 ft)[1] |
Prominence | 850 m (2,790 ft)[2] |
Coordinates | 30°52′49.48″N 79°03′48.49″E[1] |
Geography | |
Location | Uttarakhand, India |
Parent range | Gangotri Group, Garhwal Himalayas |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 3 June 1974 by Hukam Singh, Laxman Singh, Ang Tharkey, Pemba Tharkey, Pasang Sherpa[3] |