Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 18: Chhari Mubarak, the silver robbed mace of Swami Amarnath Ji– one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati reached Panchtarni, the last halting camp on way to holy cave on Pahalgam track today.
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Earlier, holy mace led by its sole custodian Mahant Deependra Giri Ji left camp Sheshnag this morning at 8 am for camp Panchtarni under tight security measures. Accompanied by number of Sadhus and devotees the Sadhus enroute were chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ and Vedic hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.
Chhari-Mubarak crossed Mahaguns Top having an altitude of 14800 feet. Mahaguns Top is the highest peak enroute to holy shrine of Swami Amarnath Ji and reached camp Panchtarni this afternoon at around 2 pm.
Chhari-Mubarak shall be carried to holy cave tomorrow morning on the occasion of ‘Shravan Purnima’ coinciding with festival of Raksha Bandhan and traditional Pujan and rituals shall be performed with chanting of Vedic hymns.
After day-long Pujan and prayers for the world peace and prosperity of mankind the holy mace will return to Panchtarni in the evening on way to Pahalgam.
After a night halt at Pahalgam on August 20, the holy mace will leave for its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar on August 21. Earlier, in the day immersion ceremonies will be performed in river Lidder where Sadhus will be also fed with Prashad in a traditional way on the bank of river Lidder.
It may be recalled that after Chhari Sathapan at Dashnami Akhara and Chhari Pujan on August 9, the holy mace left for cave shrine on August 14 morning from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar. After paying obeisance at various temples enroute, it stayed at Pahalgam for two nights prior starting its onwards sojourn to cave shrine on August 16.
Mahant Deependra Giri Ji while talking to this reporter threw light on the significance of Chhari Mubarak and the holy Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. He said this is one of the ancient Yatras of India where devotees not only from India but abroad visit to pay obeisance to lord Shiva who is in form of an ice Lingam at holy cave situated at an altitude of 3888 meters in deep Himalayas.
Mahant Ji also expressed his satisfaction over the improving arrangements made by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) led by Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha and UT administration for the pilgrims. He said with the increasing of facilities including widening of track to cave shrine the influx of pilgrims has increased.
He said the Chhari Mubarak will make special prayers for peace and prosperity of the mankind at cave shrine tomorrow.