Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 4: Large number of devotees, including Sadhus, are visiting Rameshwar temple at Dashnami Akhara Srinagar to have glimpse of ‘Chhari Mubarak’, holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva and pay obeisance before Chhari which will start final journey to holy Amarnath cave shrine on August 6 morning.
As per age old tradition, on July 31 ‘Chhari-Sthapana and Dhwajardon’ was conducted on the occasion of ‘Tritiya’ at Dashnami Akhara.
Traditional Chhari-Pujan would let performed on August 8 at 1600 hrs.
The Chhari has been kept in Rameshwar temple at Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar city. Large number of devotees, including Sadhus, are visiting the temple everyday to pay obeisance and have glimpse of the Silver Mace.
Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari-Mubarak, said pujan is held in the morning at 0500 hrs and at 2000 hrs in the night every day.
He said that the Silver Mace will commence its final journey of yatra-2014 to holy cave on August 6 at 0800 hrs. However, before 90s, the Chhari was taken shortly before Sunset from the Akhara on foot and had night halt at several halting stations before reaching to Pahalgam. Now for security reasons the Chhari is taken in a vehicle under unprecedented security arrangements and reaches Pahalgam same evening after organising pujan on way at Durga Nag, Sureshwar temple, Shiv temple Pampore, Shiv temple Bijbehara, Martand-Tirth Mattan, Ganesh temple across river Lidder at Ganeshbal.
He said Chhari will leave on August 7 for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional route after night halt at Pahalgam on the occasion of ‘Ekadashi-Dwadashi’.
On August 8 on the occasion of ‘Dwadashi-Tryodashi’ Chhari will leave from Chandanwari for Sheshanag for a night halt there.
He said on August 9 on the occasion of ‘Tryodashi-Chaturdashi’ Chhari will leave Sheshnag for a night halt at Panchtarni.
Finally the Chhari will be taken to holy Cave shrine in the morning of August 10 from Panchtarni for a final Pujan, marking the end of annual 44-day long pilgrimage this year on the occasion of Sharavan Purnima. Mahant Giri said the Chhari will return to its abode at Deshnami Akhara on August 12 after organising traditional pujan and other rituals on way back from holy Cave.
Meanwhile 3059 devotees paid obeisance at holy cave of Swami Amarnath on day 38 of darshan today from both shortest Baltal and traditional Chandanwri tracks.
According to an official spokesman with this the total number of pilgrims paying obeisance in the cave shrine since the 44 day long yatra started on June 28 has touched 365,691.
The spokesman said that the weather to holy cave on both tracks was pleasant and yatra proceeded smoothly. He said 978 pilgrims left from Baltal track to holy cave early this morning. They included 437 pilgrims who left by chopper.
Besides, 500 pilgrims left from Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp via Chandanwari track to holy cave early this morning under tight security.
He said the pilgrims who were on night haltage at Sheshnag and Panchtarni also left for their onwards sojourn this morning.
The spokesman said 199 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas to holy cave early this morning in five vehicles. These yatris had reached their respective destinations in Kashmir Valley when last reports came in. They will leave for holy cave from there tomorrow.
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