832 perform darshan at cave shrine
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 16: In connection with ongoing annual Amarnath Ji yatra, Chhari Mubarak-the saffron robbed holy mace of Lord Shiva was today taken to historic Shankaracharya temple on Gopadari hills for special prayers and rituals.
Click here to watch video
The holy silver mace of Swami Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Deependra Giri was taken to the historic Shankaracharya temple located at Gopadri hills for prayers on the occasion of ‘Haryali-Amavasya’ (Shravan Amavasya) as per age-old customs and traditions.
The summit of the hill is crowned with a picturesque edifice. This hill was called Jetha Larak and afterwards it was named Gopadari hill. Some historians are of the opinion that the temple at the top was originally built by King Sandiman (2629-2564 BC), Mahant Ji told reporters.
He said this temple was, earlier, known as Jyeshteshwara or Jyoteshwara temple. But after Adi Shankaracharya Ji visited this temple, it is, now, popularly known as Shri Shankaracharya Temple.
Mahant Ji, the custodian of the holy mace, said that the sound of conch shells charged the atmosphere and ‘Pujan’ was performed with chanting of Vedic hymns and Rudhra Abhishekh was also performed at the temple.
The Sadhus, who accompanied the holy mace, participated in the pooja as collective prayers were also offered for peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir, Mahant Ji added.
He said that special prayers were also held for the well-being of the people.
The Chhari Mubarak will be taken to ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ temple, Hari Parbat here to pay obeisance to the Goddess on Thursday, he added.
He said that rituals would be performed for Chhari-Sthapana at Shri Amareshwar temple Dashnami Akhara here on Saturday after which Chhari-Pujan will be performed at Dashnami Akhara on the auspicious occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ on Monday.
The Mahant Ji will carry the holy mace to the cave shrine to perform pujan and have ‘darshan’ on the morning of ‘Shravan-Purnima’ on August 31 after having night halts at Pahalgam on August 26 and Chandanwari on August 28, Sheshnag on August 29 and Panchtarani on August 30.
The puja at the holy cave shrine will be followed by ‘Visarjan’ in Lidder river at Pahalgam the next day.
He said it is a matter of satisfaction that the yatra passed off smoothly and remained incident-free.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have always supported the yatra and I am sure it will continue. When we welcome the yatris, it will send a message across the country. In the times to come, I think more people will undertake the yatra and the facilities will also get improved,” he added.
The Mahant Ji, founder of True Trust said that he would pray at the holy cave shrine for return of peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir as it was before 1989.
Meanwhile, 832 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country performed the darshan at holy cave today while 1,104 pilgrims had performed darshan at cave shrine yesterday, officials said.
With this, the total number of pilgrims visiting 3888 meter high Himalayan cave since the 62 day long yatra started on July 1 this year has risen to 4,37,817 in last 47 days, officials added.
The majority of these pilgrims have returned to their home States while others are on way. The yatris who performed darshan today have also started their return journey towards Base Camp of Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir and transit camp of Panchtarni in Anantnag district of South Kashmir.
After remaining suspended for last three days, 39th batch of 834 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning for twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 27 vehicles.
Among them 586 preferred the traditional and longest Nunwan-Phalgam track in South Kashmir while 248 pilgrims opted for shortest but terrain route of Baltal in Central Kashmir.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
