Srinagar, July 21 :
Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of ‘Chhari Mubarak’ or Silver mace of Lord Shiva led the several pujas to mark the commencement of the annual pilgrimage of Swami Armanathji traditionally and religiously.
Chanting Vedic hymn, ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah-Pujan’, ‘Chhari-Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed at Pahalgam on Sunday on the occasion of ‘Vyas-Purnima’ that marks the commencement of annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji, traditionally and religiously.
The traditional ‘Vyas-Purnima’ was performed by the Mahant Deependra Giri.
Chhari-Mubarak of Swami Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Giri started from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar this morning for Pahalgam. Officials of the district administration and devotees received Chhari-Mubarak at Martant
Rituals for ‘Chhari Mubarak’
temple at Sangam Bijbehara and accompanied up to Pahalgam in south Kashmir.
The rituals, important, are performed before the main course of the annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji with the sound of conch shell reverberating the whole atmosphere.
A sizable number of Sadhus and pilgrims were present on the occasion and participated in the Puja. Hawan was also performed after Puja and Langar were served to all present and offered ‘Dakshina’.
Mahant Deependra Giri ji expressed his satisfaction after performing these important rituals at Pahalgam and thanked the State Administration for making arrangements for the event.
As many as 3.90 lakh pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine of Amarnath to pay obeisance during the ongoing Yatra in Kashmir Himalayas so far, he said.
Amid good atmosphere, the yatra is going on peacefully and more than 12000 pilgrims are being allowed to proceed from the shortest route of Baltal via Dumail to pay obeisance at the cave shrine daily.
A good number of pilgrims also visit the cave shrine from the traditional NunWan base camp from south Kashmir’s Pahalgam daily.
Mahant Giri said the rush of pilgrims is constant and the number of pilgrims likely to break the previous highest record.
The annual 52-day-long Amarnath yatra began on June 29 from the twin routes of NunWan base camp in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam and Baltal in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir amid foolproof security and other arrangements, and will culminate on August 19.
