Over 900 pilgrims perform darshan
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 17: Before embarking on annual pilgrimage and continuing the age old tradition, Chhari Mubarak, the holy silver mace of Amarnath Ji was today taken to ancient ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple on Hari Parbat in Srinagar to pay obeisance on the occasion of “Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada”.
Led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, the custodian of holy mace, Chhari Mubarak, was taken to Hari Parbat, temple to pay obeisance to the Goddess on the occasion of ‘Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada’, as per the age-old traditions.
A sizable number of Sadhus and devotees participated in the ‘Pujan’ that lasted for more than 90 minutes.
Goddess ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ popularly known as ‘Tripursundari’, amongst the mystics, is believed to be ‘Isht Devi’ (Presiding Deity) of the Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of ‘Shila’ (Holy Rock) at Hari-Parbat.
The holy mace was received by the members of Hari Parbat Sharika Chakreshwar Sanstha led by Ranjeet Gurkha.
At the shrine, the puja and other religious rituals were performed in a traditional way by Mahant Ji, Sadhus and other devotees present on the occasion.
On the occasion, prayers were held for peace and well being of the people of the country.
Mahant Ji on the occasion highlighted the significance of the holy Amarnath yatra and Chhari Mubarak.
He said this yatra being one of the ancient yatras of the country dates back to Puranic period and its references lie in detail in Bringeshwar Puran and other dharmic scriptures. He said the holy mace represents Shiv and Shakti.
The Sansthan later served ‘Prashad’ to devotees who participated in the function.
Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony shall be performed on Saturday at Shri Amareshwar Temple in Srinagar and traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ shall be held on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ on next Monday, Mahant Ji said.
He said that after the Chhari Sthapana at Dashnami Akhara the devotees can visit there for darshan.
He said earlier prior to 1989 the Chhari yatra was taken by foot from Amreshwar temple Dashnami Akhara to holy cave with night halts at various places enroute. Mahant Ji expressed his satisfaction over bettering of facilities for the pilgrims this time with widening of track.
He said the Yatris in large numbers are coming for the pilgrimage across the country which is a good sign.
The 62-day-long annual Amarnath Yatra began on July 1 and will end on August 31. So far more than 4.38 lakh Yatris have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath Ji in Kashmir Himalayas during the period.
Meanwhile, on the 48th day of annual Yatra today, 925 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country paid obeisance at holy cave in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Officials said 925 pilgrims paid obeisance to naturally formed Ice Shivlingam at 3888 metre high Himalayan cave from twin tracks of Baltal in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and Nunwan Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
With this the total number of pilgrims performing darshan in cave shrine in last 48 days since the annual yatra started from twin tracks on July 1 this year has touched 4,38,742.
Among them majority of pilgrims have returned to their home states while others are on way. The pilgrims who performed darshan at cave shrine today also started their return journey towards Baltal base camp and Panchtarni Transit Camp.
As authorities have decided movement of yatra from here to Kashmir valley on alternate days in view of declining number of pilgrims since August 1, no Yatri left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here to holy cave today.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
