SRINAGAR: Pilgrimage was progressing smoothly from both traditional Pahalgam and shortest Baltal routes to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far 1,34,771 had paid obeisance , since the commencement of the 40-day-long yatra from June 29.
Meanwhile, the Chhari-Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva, returned to its abode at Deshnami Akhara in Srinagar last evening from Pahalgam, where ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah-Pujan’, ‘Chhari-Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed on the occasion of ‘Vyas-Purnima’, the traditional rituals associated with the commencement of the annual pilgrimage .
Over 10,000 pilgrims, who were stopped at Bhagwati Nagar at Jammu due to closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway on July 8 for security reasons in view of the first death anniversary of Burhan Wani and two other militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), arrived here yesterday.
A fresh batch of over 5,000 pilgrims, including women and sadhus, left Baltal base camp early this morning for the holy cave shrine. The pilgrims are likely to reach the cave shrine after covering the distance of about 14 km hilly track on foot.
Similarly, pilgrims who had night halt near cave shrine camp, have also started their return journey to Baltal early this morning, a yatra official said.
Meanwhile, yatris, who had returned to base camp after having paid obeisance yesterday, left for their homes this morning. However, some of them are visiting are visiting tourist resorts.
Official said that fresh batch of yatris, who had arrived yesterday from Jammu also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the first halting station on traditional route. Pilgrims, who had a night halt at Chandanwari and other halting stations on the traditional route, have also started their foot journey towards the cave shrine.
He said pilgrims, who had a night halt at Panjterni have also proceeded towards the shrine early this morning. Majority of them have paid obeisance at the cave shrine while others are on way, he said.
He said majority pilgrims, who are undertaking the yatra from traditional track, are returning via Baltal track.
He said 8,160 yatris paid obeisance at the cave shrine yesterday and with this a total of 134771 yatris, including women and sadhus, from different parts of the country had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam since June 29.
Majority of pilgrims had since returned to their homes while others have extended their stay, visiting tourist places.
Meanwhile, Chanting Vedic hymn, ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah-Pujan’, ‘Chhari-Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed at Pahalgam at Pahalgam yesterday on the occasion of ‘Vyas-Purnima’ . These are important rituals prior to main course of annual pilgrimage of Amarnath yatra.
Speaking on the occasion Mahant Deependra Giri, Mahant Chhari-Mubarak, Silver Mace of Lord Shiva said, “People of Jammu & Kashmir irrespective of their caste, creed or religion have been cooperating, assisting and encouraging the pilgrims and Sadhus who come here from across the country and even abroad for this annual pilgrimage”.
Mahant suggested on the occasion that yatra is a pilgrimage and it should be arranged and undertaken in that perspective only and pilgrims should follow the tradition in the scriptures.
Prayers were also offered at Historic Martand Temple, Mattan (Anantnag) on way back to Deshnami Akharar last evening. (AGENCIES)
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