Youth with Ganga Jal on way to cave shrine by foot
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 9: In connection with annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Shukla Panchami, also called Nag Panchami, performed the Pujan of Shri Amarnathji Chhari Mubarak in presence of Mahant Deependra Giri, sole custodian of the holy mace at Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar.
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The Lt Governor sought the blessings of Lord Shiva and prayed for the peace, progress, and well-being of all.
The Chhari-Pujan is an auspicious ritual prior to the culmination of the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnathji Shrine.
The holy Mace will be taken to the Shri Amarnathji cave following the traditional practice of Chhari Mubarak Yatra.
Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board; Vidhi Kumar Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and other senior officers besides Sadhus and devotees also participated in the Chhari-Pujan.
Mahant Deependra Giri Ji said that special prayers were held for peace and prosperity of the mankind as a whole on this occasion. He also highlighted the significance of the Chhri Pujan and Chhari Sathapana which has been a tradition from the ancient period.
Mahant Ji said the holy Amarnath Ji pilgrimage is one of ancient pilgrimages in the country which is run with the cooperation and support of the people of Jammu and Kashmir including majority community of the Valley.
The holy mace will be taken to cave shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara on August 14. Enroute to cave shrine it will pay obeisance at various temples up to Pahalgam including Sun temple of Martand Mattan in Anantnag district.
The True Trust founded by Mahant Deepndra Giri Ji has made all arrangements for Sadhus and other devotees accompanying the holy mace to cave shrine. The holy mace will reach Pahalgam on the evening of August 14 and will have two days stay there prior to it’s onwards sojourn to Chandanwari on August 16.
After a night halt at Chandanwari, the Chhari Mubarak will leave for Sheshnag on August 17. From there, it will proceed to Panchtarni the last haltage camp on way to holy cave via Pahalgam track on August 18. Next day i.e on August 19 it will leave for cave shrine early in the morning and after performing day long Puja and prayers at Cave shrine on Shravan Purnima, the holy mace will return towards Panchtarni in the evening on way to Pahalgam.
It will reach Pahalgam on August 20 evening. After a night halt at Pahalgam the immersion ceremonies will be performed at the bank of river Lidder next day after which the Chhari Mubarak will proceed towards the Dashnami Akhara Srinagar culminating the 52-day long annual Yatra.
Meanwhile, on the 42nd day of annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji over 1800 pilgrims paid obeisance at Himalayan cave today while a fresh batch of 398 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for the Baltal-Sonamarg base camp in Central Kashmir district of Anantnag early this morning under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 14 light and heavy motor vehicles.
Officials said 1822 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at cave shrine by this evening from Baltal track and special chopper services. All these pilgrims returned to Baltal base camp after performing darshan at the cave shrine. With this, a total number of pilgrims visiting holy Cave in last 42 days since the 52-day long pilgrimage started on June 29 from twin tracks has reached 5,08,961.
The 43rd batch of pilgrims who left from here towards Baltal base camp included 340, Males, 45 females, four children and nine Sadhus. All of them have reached to their destination by this evening where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, Sonu a young pilgrim who is visiting, the holy cave on foot with a pot of sacred Ganga Jal from Haridwar has reached Srinagar today. Sonu started his journey to holy cave with Ganga Jal 32 days back and after passing through various States, he reached Srinagar today.
He said he has come with message of peace and brotherhood for the people of the J&K. He said he was welcomed every where by the people and given lot of love. He said in J&K the Jammu Kashmir people gave him lot of love. He was received at Pantha Chowk,Srinagar Yatri Niwas by the officers of Revenue Department , J&K Police, CRPF and Shrine Board.
He is accompanied by three companions including his cousin brother. While they travel in a vehicle, Sonu travels on foot. Tomorrow he will leave from Srinagar to holy cave and take the sacred Ganga Jal there.
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