![Jammu Mayor Rajinder Sharma and Col ML Thappa flagging off the annual Sudhmahadev Chhari Yatra from Jammu on Monday. Jammu Mayor Rajinder Sharma and Col ML Thappa flagging off the annual Sudhmahadev Chhari Yatra from Jammu on Monday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/page9-11.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: The annual Sudhmahadev Chhari Yatra began from ancient Panjbakhtar temple here today.
Sudhmahadev Chhari Yatra Samiti organizes the yatra every year during the Jyestha Purnima.
As per a statement, hundreds of devotees of Lord Shiva today thronged at the Panjbakhtar temple amid chants of Har Har Bhole and left for the pilgrimage.
Jammu Mayor, Rajinder Sharma, along with Col ML Thapa, Corporator Ritu Choudhary, flagged off the yatri.
Speaking with media persons, 1008 Shri Damodar Dass Ji Maharaj, a spiritual saint from Vrindaban, who took the Chhari to Sudhmahadev, said that this place has it reference in various religious books such as Shiv Purana.
He said Lord Shiva solemnized his marriage with Maa Gaura and had “fere” at Mantalai.
Earlier, a special pooja was performed at the holy temple of Bhagwan Shul Paneshwar Ji Maharaj amidst chanting of Vedic mantra to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Enroute Sudhmahadev, the Chhari was welcomed by Shiv devotees at Kol Kandoli ancient Shiv Temple Nagrota, where devotees gathered to have darshan of the Holy mace.
In Chenani town, local Shiv Samiti welcomed the Chhari Yatra with garlands in their hands and showering petals on the devotees.
At Bus Stand Chenani, the artists who had come from Uttarakhand performed Shiv Tandav and Shiv marriage. Large number of locals especially women folk appreciated the performance of the artists. The Chhari was garlanded in Basht Village by locals including the Muslim brethren.
At Sudhmahadev Town, SSP Udhampur Dr Vinod Kumar, Tehsildar (Mela Officer) Ved Prakash, Naib Tehsildar Sudershan Kumar with Sarpanches and prominent citizens garlanded the Chhari Yatra.
Samiti Members Narinder Sharma, Varun Magotra Ram Magotra, Rajesh Behal. Raj Kumar Sodhi flanked by Chhari of Bagwan Shul Paneshwar Ji Maharaj thanked thousands of Shiv Bhakts who welcomed the Chhari Mubarak en-route.