Shivling "the phallus of Shiva", may be the most stunning peak of the Garhwal region. It rises as a sheer pyramid above the snout of the Gangotri Glacier, in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, 6 km (4 mi) south of the Hindu holy site of Gaumukh (the source of the Bhagirathi River) Its spectacular form is often compared to that of the “Matterhorn peak”.. Shivling is well-defended on all sides by steep rock faces; only the west flank has a moderate enough slope for snow accumulation
Shivling, appears as a single pyramid when seen from Gaumukh, but is actually a twin-summitted mountain, with the northeast summit being slightly higher than the southwest summit, 6,501 m (21,329 ft). Between Gaumukh and Shivling lies the Tapovan meadow, a popular pilgrimage site due to its inspiring view of the mountain.
After British exploration of the Gangotri Glacier in 1933, a German expedition led by R. Schwarzengruber climbed nearby peaks and did a reconnaissance of Shivling in 1938. They reported "no feasible route" on the mountain due to its steepness and the threat of falling séracs.
Shivling was first climbed on June 3, 1974 via the west ridge, by a team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, led by Hukam Singh. The ridge is the lowest-angle feature on the mountain, but still involves serious mixed climbing, and is threatened by the sérac barrier noted by the Germans. The ridge leads to the col between the two summits; a steep snow/ice ridge then leads to the main summit.[3]
Since the first ascent, at least ten other routes have been climbed on the peak, ascending all major ridges and most major faces of the mountain. All routes are extremely serious undertakings
Mount Shivling, though is not of great elevation, it is a dramatic rock peak; and the difficulty of the climb make it a famed prize for mountaineers
