Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Aug 11: Charri yatra with great religious enthusiasm and chanting of slogans in praise of Lord Shiva, returned to Akhara Mandir here this evening.
The holy mace (`Charri’) led by Shri 1008 Maha Mandleshwar Swami Vishvatmanand Saraswati ji Maharaj reached the township of Poonch amidst tight security arrangements. SSP Poonch Shamsheer Hussain, ADC Poonch besides several other senior police and civil officials accompanied the Chhari yatra. Thousands of devotees/ pilgrims walked along Mahant ji, being part of annual Charri Yatra. After performing traditional Pooja at the shrine of Shri Budha Amarnath ji at Mandi on the occasion of Raksha Bandan, Charri yatra started its backward journey to Poonch from Mandi this morning.
Even on Saturday, over 30,000 people had paid their obeisance at the shrine. Several top leaders of VHP, Bajrang Dal, S D Sabha and Poonch Akhara Mandir Committee members also attended special Pooja and accompanied the Charri.
There was huge rush of pilgrims at the shrine. Senior district officers were there to monitor the yatra arrangements. Elaborate security arrangements were made at the shrine by the district administration. The free movement of vehicles was ensured in the congested Mandi bazaar.
The top priests led by Swami ji performed special prayers at the shrine yesterday, followed by thousands of other devotees. Charri returned to Akhara Mandir where it was accorded traditional reception. The main concluding function was held at Akhara Mandir in which a large number of people from the town including prominent political and religious leaders participated. The Akhara Mandir Committee members and Swami ji extended gratitude to the District Administration and complimented it for the success and smooth conduct of the yatra.
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