Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 23: Annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji culminated successfully today at Pahalgam with the last rituals ‘Pujan’ and ‘Visarjan’, which were performed at the bank of river Lidder.
Large number of Sadhus, pilgrims and few tourists who had come from various parts of the country joined the puja, led by Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari-Mubarak, Silver Mace of Lord Shiva.
Later, ‘Karri-Pakouri’ Bhan-dara was organised and ‘Dakshina’ was offered.
All the arrangements including transportation, accommodation and food for the Sadhus and people from general public who had accompanied Chhari-Mubarak during Swami Amarnathji Yatra were made by ‘The True Trust’ founded by Mahant Giri.
Chhari-Mubarak was taken to Holy Shrine of Swami Amarnathji on August 21 on the occasion of ‘Sharavan-Purnima’ and main Pujan was performed with Vedic Mantras and special prayers were offered for the peace and prosperity of the world and Jammu and Kashmir State in particular.
Addressing the gathering after the culminating ceremony, Mahant Giri congratulated and thanked the State administration and district administration of Anantnag in particular, Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, J&K Police, Health Department, PHE, PDD, all the agencies connected with making arrangements for the Yatra and people of Jammu and Kashmir for successful Yatra.
He appreciated the services rendered by all the voluntary organisations for providing langar, medical and other essential facilities to the pilgrims during the pilgrimage.
Mahant ji lauded the services rendered by 200 member team of National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF), 50 member team of Mountaineering Rescue Team (MRT) of State Police and 195 member team of State Disaster Rescue Team (SDRF) during the pilgrimage wherein more than 3.54 lakh pilgrims had ‘Darshan’ of the their Deity Lord Shiva in the form of ‘Himlingam’ in the Holy Cave.
Mahant ji also announced an award Rs 50,000 each to NDRF and SDRF and Rs 25,000 to MRT as token of his appreciation.
Mahant ji suggested that registration process should be made more simple and flawless as numerous pilgrims, this year, were not allowed to proceed for pilgrimage due to mismatch of day and date at registration slip.
He also suggested setting up current registration counter at Nunwan base camp and to devise a mechanism by which pilgrims having valid registration with future date of reporting may also be allowed to proceed for pilgrimage till total quota of a particular day is exhausted.
Better and widened track, modern night shelters and better medical facilities are in need keeping in view of increasing influx of pilgrims year over year, he said.
He also suggested that tented accommodation may be replaced by the wooden huts on the pattern of huts built by Pahalgam Development Authority which have survived in hostile weather conditions and are in place for more than two-three decades at Sheshnag and Panchtarani.
Follow our WhatsApp channel