Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 1: The traditional Chhari-Pujan was performed at Dashnami Akhara today with religious fervour and gaiety under the supervision of Mahant Dependra GiriJi.
Large numbers of Sadhus, devotees, besides Shri Amarnathji pilgrims participated in the special prayers and had darshan of holy Mace of Lord Shiva. The devotees also held Bhajan-Keertan on the occasion. The Chhari-Pujan is an age old tradition which is performed every year at Dashnami Akhara temple on the day of Nag Panchhami.
The journey of Chhari-Mubarak will commence on August 6 to the Holy Shrine of Swami Amarnathji at 08:00 hours from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar under the supervision of Mahant Dependra Giriji along with hundreds of Sadhus who would have a night halt at Pahalgam, base camp to holy cave.
En-route to Pahalgam, Chhari Pujan would also be performed at Durga Nag, Sureshwar Temple (Behind Hotel Shangrilla) Srinagar, Shiv Temple Pampore, Shiv Temple Bijbehara, Martand-Tirths Mattan and Ganesh Temple across river Lidder, Ganeshbal.
Subsequently, the Chhari-Mubarak would make night halts at Chandanwari on August 7, at Sheshnag on August 8 and on August 9 at Panchtarani.
On August 10, the day of Raksha-Bandhan (Sharavan-Purnimashi), the (Holy Mace) Chhari-Mubarak would proceed from Panchtarani for the Holy Cave for Pujan at 05:00 hours where traditional rituals shall be performed and prayers shall be offered the whole day at the Holy Cave and before dusk, the Chhari-Mubark would leave for night halt at Panchtarani.
Afterwards the Chhari-Mubarak would leave at 0700 hours for night halt at Pahalgam where ‘Pujan’& Visarjan’ ceremonies shall be performed at 09:15 hours on the bank of river Lidder on August 12.
Thereafter, traditional ‘Kari-Pakoaura’ Bhandara would be organized for Sadhus and with this, the annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnathji-2014 would be culminated and the Chhari-Mubarak would return to its Abode at Srinagar.
Meanwhile, 2387 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave today. With this the total number of pilgrims paying obeisance to Icy lingam in cave shrine has touched 3, 58,051 in last 35 days of pilgrimage since the 44 day long yatra started on June 28 from Baltal track.
This was stated by an official spokesman here today. he said 1150 pilgrims left from Base camp of Baltal for holy cave today. Out of them 494 left by chopper and rest by foot. He said 704 pilgrims left from Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp via traditional Chandanwari track to holy cave this morning also.
The spokesman said one pilgrim died of cardiac arrest at holy cave today before performing darshan. He was identified as Trimbak, Halone, 62, S/o Hari Bhavalone of Aurangabad Maharashtra.
With this total number of pilgrims who died so far on way to cave shrine ahs mounted to 35.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 237 pilgrims left for holy cave in six vehicles early this morning under tight security measures.
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