Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Aug 19: `Charri Mubarak’ along with thousands of devotees and pilgrims from Akhara Mandir Poonch reached Shri Budha Amarnathji shrine at Mandi this afternoon.
Led by Shri 1008 Swami Vishavatam Anandji Maharaj, the Charri Mubarak in highly decorated chariot was taken from historic Akhara Mandir Poonch in the form of a grand religious procession. A large number of members from Sadhu Samaj, pilgrims, legislators, officials from district administration including Deputy Commissioner Sajjad Ahmed Khan, S P Shamsheer Hussain, Additional DC and others accompanied.
The on-foot Charri Mubarak Yatra from Poonch started at around 9.30 am and reached Shri Budha Amarnathji shrine at Mandi, covering 26 km distance at round 3.30 pm. Despite heavy rain, nearly 10,000 devotees and officials kept on walking on- foot along with this religious procession throughout the day. The people from different communities including Sikhs and Muslims had installed `langars’ for the pilgrims en-route. At Dera Nangali Sahib, a grand langar had been installed. Amidst religious slogans of Baba Amarnathji, the yatra kept on moving ahead.
Earlier in the morning, the Charri Pujan commenced amidst Vedic Mantras at the Akhara Temple, Poonch. All the members of the Akhara Mandir Trust/ Management Committee led by Basant Ram were also present. Swami ji performed the Charri Pujan. Minister for Housing and Horticulture Raman Bhalla especially arrived from Jammu to participate in the special Pujan. MLA Poonch Ajaz Jan, Congress MLC Jehangir Mir, MLC Shehnaz Ganai (NC), PDP MLC Yash Pal Sharma, Vice Chairman Gujjar-Bakerwal Board Ch Bashir Naz, DC and SP Poonch also participated in the Charri Pujan programme. The legislators lauded the efforts of religious personalities of all the communities for ensuring peace and amity in Poonch during these days of trouble in the State.
Nearly, 1440 pilgrims in 27 vehicles had arrived here last evening to participate in the special Pooja and grand religious procession while many had already arrived in last 2-3 days. Today also, the people in nearly a dozen buses and other vehicles arrived. A large number of devotees from Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Sunderbani, Nowshera, Kalakote, Rajouri, Mendhar and other areas had arrived. They will stay at Mandi today and tomorrow. Swami ji will deliver religious sermons there for the two days. After performing Darshan on the Raksha Bandan day, most of the pilgrims will return to their respective places.
The District Administration has made elaborate arrangements for the stay of the pilgrims in schools and other Government buildings. Tents have also been erected and security strengthened.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
