PAHALGAM,INDIA, July 12, 2003: Undeterred by the cold mountain air, rocky terrain and fears of terrorist attacks, more than 6,500 devotees camped in tents at a base camp overlooking an icy blue lake in Sheshnag, Kashmir, the last stop before the annual trek up the mountain to one of the most revered of Hindu shrines. At daybreak on Saturday, authorities allowed the pilgrims to journey the final 11 miles up to Amaranth cave at an altitude of 13,500 feet where Hindus worship Lord Siva in the form of an ice stalagmite in the ice cave shrine. About 21,000 paramilitary soldiers and policemen were deployed along the mountain route this year to protect the pilgrims from terrorists. The annual pilgrimage will end on August 12.
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