SRINAGAR : Chents of “Har Har Mahadev and Bum Bum Bholay Nath” reverberated the air when ” Chhari Mubarak”, holy silver Mace of Lord Shiva, left for Pahalgam early this morning on the last leg of annual yatra to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.
”We will pray for peace in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir valley,” said Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari Mubarak. Due to prevailing situation, particularly ”Referendum March” to historic Lal Chowk called by separatists today, the Chhari Mubarak left for Pahalgam on way to holy cave early this morning under unprecedented security arrangements to avoid any protests on way, official sources said.
After performing Puja in Amreshwar Temple at Budshah Chowk, near Lal Chowk, Chhari Mubarak was taken out at 0500 hrs by Mahant Giri in presence of several devotees, including sadhus. He said actually “Chhari-Pujan” associated with annual Amarnath yatra, was performed on August 7 evening.
This was an important ritual to be performed traditionally on ‘Nag-Panchami’ (Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchmi) before leaving for the main course of pilgrimage.
In the pre 90s, sadhus carrying Chhari used to start their journey on foot for Holy Amarnath shrine immediately after this pujan.
Having night halts at Pampore, Bijbehara, Anantnag, Martand, Aishmuquam, Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni, Chhari-Mubarak would reach Holy Cave of Amarnathi on ‘Shravan-Purnima’ the ‘Raksha-Bandhan’ day.
However, after 90s, the Chhari is being taken in a vehicle to Pahalgam after brief halts at different places on way. He said en-route to Pahalgam for first night halt, pujan shall be performed at Sureshwar Temple Srinagar, Shiv Temple Pampore, Shiv Temple Bijbehara, Martand Tirth Mattan and Ganesh Temple Ganesbal across the river lidder.
Thereafter, Chhari-Mubarak shall make night halts at Chandanwari on August 15, Sheshnag on August 16 and Panjtarani on August 17. However, on August 18, the day of Shravan- Purnima (RAKSHA-BANDHAN) Chhari-Mubarak shall proceed from Panjtarni to Holy Shrine situated at an altitude of 13,500 feet from the sea level for Darshan and Pujan.
The Chhari will start return journey same evening through traditional route. (AGENCIES)
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