Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Aug 16: Chanting Vedic mantras and Bam Bam Bolay, the ‘ Chhari Mubarak”, Silver Mace of Lord Shiva today left for the Holy Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas on the final leg of annual pilgrimage, which will conclude on August 21, Sharvan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
“The Kishtwar clashes were very unfortunate and we will pray for peace and communal harmony in the country, particularly in the Jammu and Kashmir at the Cave shrine,” Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari said before leaving from Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara Building at Badshah Chowk near here.
The Chhari was kept in the temple for the darshan of devotees on the occasion of ‘ Nagpanchami’, traditional Chhari-Pujan on August 11 after puja by Mahant Giri at 1700 hrs.
The Mahant said Jammu and Kashmir is known for centuries-old communal harmony and brotherhood where people belonging to different faiths and regions are living peacefully.
He said those responsible for dividing people on religion and regions must be brought to book and punished as per law of the land.
Mahant Giri said people of the Kashmir Valley have always helped the pilgrims to undertake the yatra peacefully and smoothly.
A large number of Sadhus and locals, including security forces, Central Government employees and Kashmiri Pandits joined the prayers in the temple before the journey of Chhari commenced at 0800 hrs.
During pre-90s, the Chhari was taken out from the temple shortly before sunset to have night halt at Sureshwar temple at Sonawar.
However, for security reasons, the Chhari is now taken in a vehicle to Pahalgam after puja at different temples on way.
When Mahant Giri holding the Chhari, left the temple and reached Budshah Chowk, Bam Bam Bolay rented the air.
The Mahant said on the way to Pahalgam, Pujan will be performed at Sureshwar Temple, Shiv Temple Pampore, Shiv Temple Bijbehara, ‘Martand-Tirth’ Mattan and Ganesh Temple across river Lidder, Ganeshbal, Pahalgam.
Puja will be held at Pahalgam on the occasion of ‘ Ekadashi’ tomorrow before leaving for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional Pahalgam route at 1400 hrs on the occasion of ‘ Dwadashi’.
After night halt at Chandanwari, the Chhari Mubarak will leave on August 19 on the occasion of ‘ Tryodashi’ for a night halt at Sheshnag (3352 mtrs).
Mahant Giri said Chhari Mubarak will leave at 0700 hrs from Sheshnag on August 20 for a night halt at Panchtarani (4114 mtrs), 6 km short of Holy Cave.
Next morning on August 21, the Chhari Mubarak will leave at 0400 hrs Panchtarani for Holy Cave (3952 mtrs) on the occasion of Raksha Bandan’ Sharvan Purnima.
He said traditional rituals shall be performed and prayers shall be offered the whole day at Holy Cave.
However, before dusk, Chhari-Mubarak shall leave for night halt at Panchtarani.
On the occasion of ‘Pratipda’ on August 22, Chhari-Mubarak shall leave at 0700 hrs for night halt at Pahalgam.
On August 23 on the occasion of ‘ Dvitiya’ ‘Pujan’ & ‘Visarjan’ ceremonies shall be performed at 1015 hrs on the banks of river Lidder.
Thereafter, traditional ‘Kari-Pakouri’ Bhandara shall be organised for Sadhus. With this last ritual, annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji shall culminate. Chhari-Mubarak shall return to its Abode at Srinagar.
Meanwhile 387 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave today while 115 had performed darshan yesterday. With this the total pilgrims performing darshan in cave shrine since the yatra started on June 28 has reached 3,52,458, an official spokesman said.
He said till yesterday 3,52,071 pilgrims had performed darshan at holy cave situated at an altitude of 3888 metres in deep Himalayas.
He said 202 pilgrims left for holy cave from Baltal base camp via shortest track while 285 pilgrims left for darshan from Nunwan-Pahalgam base camp via traditional Chandanwari track.
The pilgrimage to the cave shrine remained suspended for the second consecutive day today from Jammu following bad weather conditions.
“Amarnath yatra has been suspended for second day today due to bad weather conditions,” a police officer said here.
No fresh batch was allowed to move to Amarnath cave shrine this morning, he said.
Yatra was earlier resumed on August 13 after it remained suspended for three days in the wake of communal clashes and curfew in areas of Jammu region.
The pilgrimage was also suspended due to bad weather conditions from Kashmir-based twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal on Wednesday.
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