Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 25: With silver mace of Lord Shiva leaving from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar to cave shrine early this morning, the two-month long Shri Amarnathji yatra which started on July 1 from here entered into the concluding phase today.
Led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, its custodian, a large number of Sadhus and devotees performed pooja at Amreshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara. The holy mace left for annual pilgrimage amidst chanting of Vedic hymns to cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3880 meters in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir’s district of Anantnag under tight security arrangements.
From Dashnami Akhara, the holy mace was taken to historical Durga Nag temple Srinagar under the foot hills of Shankaracharya temple where pooja -archana was held by Mahant Ji, Sadhus and other devotees in a traditional way.
The holy mace was received by the president of the Durga Nag Trust and former Chief Secretary, Vijay Bakaya. NC president and former Union Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah also attended the function. A large number of devotees and other trustees were present on the occasion.
Later the holy mace on its way to Pahalgam for a night halt performed pooja at Suryar Mandir Srinagar, Shiv temples of Pampore, Bijbehara, Sun Temple Mattan and Ganeshbal Bal temple across river Lidder near Pahalgam. Charri Pujan was also performed by members of Dharmarth Trust members at Gouri Shanker temple at Pahalgam enroute to cave shrine.
The holy mace after a night stay at Pahalgam today will leave for Chandanwari tomorrow afternoon. After a night halt at Chandanwari tomorrow, it will leave for Sheshnag on August 27 for a night halt there.
From Sheshnag, the holy mace will leave for Panchtarni the last halting station on way to Shri Amarnathji Cave and after a night halt there on August 28, it will leave for cave shrine early in the morning on Shravan Purnima falling on August 29.
After performing pooja in the cave shrine in a traditional way, the holy mace will return to Panchtarni in the evening of August 29 for a night halt. Next day it will leave for Pahalgam from Panchtarni and after a night halt there it will return for Dashnami Akhara on August 31 after immersion of relics in river Lidder at Pahalgam and serving of Prashad to Sadhus and other devotees.
Earlier, holy mace was given a rousing reception at Tirath Raj Mattan by the members of Prohit Sabha Mattan led by Ashok Sidha. The Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag Muneer-ul-Islam, SSP Anantnag and other civil and police officers besides a large number of devotees were present on the occasion.
Talking to reporters, Mahant Deependra Giri said that Hindus and Muslims of the Kashmir always cooperated in the annual yatra of Shri Amarnath. He expressed the hope that they will continue to render this cooperation in future and work for the restoration of peace in the State which is imperative for the progress and development of the State and country.
Mahant Ji, while talking to Excelsior said that he had been told that the annual yatra of Shri Amarnath culminates with the immersion of relics in sacred river at Nav Dal Tral in South Kashmir’s district of Pulwama where nine springs dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati exist and he will check the facts of the same besides consult the religious books also. He said for the last 24 years since he was heading the Chhari Mubarak to holy cave and before that when he was accompanying the previous Mahant Ji he had not heard any thing about the same.
Meanwhile, 304 pilgrims paid obeisance at holy cave on 55th day of pilgrimage today. With this the total number of pilgrims has touched 3,51,604 so far.
The weather on both the tracks of cave shrine was pleasant for the entire day today.
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