Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 19: ‘Charri Mubarak’, Holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva reached Sheshnag (3352 mtrs), 20 km short of holy Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas, where the final Puja of this years pilgrimage will be held on August 21, Raksha Bandan’ Sharvan Purnima.
On the occasion of ‘Tryodashi’, Charri Mubarak led by Mahant Deepender Giri, its custodian, left Chandanwari, after a night halt at last motorable halting station, for Sheshnag to cover 12 km-long track on foot at 0700 hrs this morning.
Mahant Giri led the puja before the yatra left for Sheshnag amid changing of ‘Bam Bam Bolay’ and Vedic mantras.
The traditional Pahalgam route was closed from 1100 hrs today.
Mahant Giri said Charri Mubarak will leave at 0700 hrs from Sheshnag on August 20 for a night halt at Panchtarani (4114 mtrs), six km short of Holy Cave.
On August 21, the Charri Mubarak will leave Panchtarani at 0400 hrs to cover six-km-long track to reach the holy cave (3952 mtrs) on the occasion of Raksha Bandan’ Sharvan Purnima.
He said traditional rituals would be performed and prayers offered the whole day at the holy cave.
However, before dusk, Charri-Mubarak would leave for night halt at Panchtarani.
On the occasion of ‘Pratipda’ on August 22, Charri-Mubarak shall leave at 0700 hrs for night halt at Pahalgam.
On August 23 on the occasion of ‘Dvitiya’, ‘Pujan’ & ‘Visarjan’ ceremonies would be performed at 1015 hrs on the bank of river Lidder.
Thereafter, traditional ‘Kari-Pakouri’ Bhandara will be organised for Sadhus. With this last ritual, annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji will culminate. Charri-Mubarak will return to its abode at Srinagar.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 410 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave today taking the total number of pilgrimage visiting the cave shrine at an altitude of 3880 metres in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag to 3,53, 442 since the yatra started on June 28.
This was stated by a spokesman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. He said 55 pilgrims left from Pahalgam to holy cave early this morning via traditional Chandanwari track while 318 pilgrims left from Baltal base camp via shortest track.
The spokesman said no pilgrim left from Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas to holy cave today but 119 pilgrims reached Baltal Base Camp from Srinagar for the darshan of cave shrine.
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