Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 3: Continuing the age old tradition, Chhari-Mubarak the holy mace of Lord Shiva was taken to ancient ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple, in the hills of Hari Parvat, Srinagar to pay obeisance to the Goddess on the occasion of ‘Shravan Shukla Paksha Pradipada’, today.
Led by Mahant Deependra Giri, the sole custodian of holy mace, a pooja was performed at Sharika Bhawani temple in a traditional way by the Mahant Ji, Sadhus and devotees accompanying the holy mace. On the occasion special prayers were held by Sadhus for the peace and prosperity of the State and country.
Mahant Deependra Giri said the holy mace was taken to the Sharika Bhawani temple which is also known as Chakreshwar as per age old traditions connected with annual Amarnath Ji yatra. He said 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-Parvat.
Sadhus, who participated in the Pujan, also prayed for everlasting peace in State of Jammu & Kashmir as well as country. He said after ‘Chhari-Sthapana’ on August 5, holy mace will be kept in Shri Amareshwar Temple, Akhara Building, Budshah Chowk, Srinagar for ‘Darshan’ till it leaves for main course of pilgrimage to holy cave in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag on August 13.
He said traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ will be performed on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ which falls on August 7 at Shri Amareshwar Temple, Akhara Building, Budshah Chowk, Srinagar.
He said after the holy mace leaves for cave shrine on August 13, pooja will be performed enroute in a traditional way at temples of Pampore, Awantipora, Bijbehara, Sun temple Mattan and Ganeshpora.
Chhari Mubarak, one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati will reach holy cave on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandan festival on August 18. With this, the 48 day long annual Amarnath yatra will culminate.
Traditional Chhari Poojan will be performed on the occasion of Nag Panchmi which falls on August 7 at Amreshwar Temple, Srinagar. It may be recalled that holy mace was taken to historical Shankarachayra temple situated on Shankaracharya hill lock yesterday.
Meanwhile, on 33rd day of Swami Amarnath yatra today, 610 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave. With this, the total number of pilgrims performing obeisance to Lord Shiva in the cave shrine since the fist day of yatra on July 2 has touched 2,16,300.
According to an official spokesman, 199 pilgrims left from Baltal base camp to holy cave today via shortest track while 47 pilgrims reached Baltal from Jammu early this morning.
He said 36 pilgrims left from Chandanwari transit camp to holy cave today. Out of them, 10 left from Nunwan base camp via traditional track. Besides, 17 pilgrims left for holy cave by chopper while six returned to Pahalgam by chopper after performing darshan of Ice Lingam.
He said 579 pilgrims are stranded at Nunwan base camp since yesterday as these pilgrims had left for Jammu late last night but returned after the outbreak of violence in various parts of Valley following the Lethpora episode.
Sources said over 500 pilgrims are also stranded at Baltal since yesterday as no pilgrim was allowed to leave for Jammu due to mob violence.
Another batch of 196 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here in 10 vehicles to holy cave under tight security arrangements today.
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