Over 15,000 perform darshan
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 15: Over 15,000 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji on 17th day of pilgrimage today while Mahant Deependra Giri Ji Maharaj, the Mahant of Chhari Mubarak of Shri Amarnath Ji also announced the programme for annual Chhari Yatra to be taken to Himalayan cave in South Kashmir’s district Anantnag from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar.
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Officials said 15,134 pilgrims paid obeisance at cave shrine by this evening from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari as well as special choppers. With this total yatris visiting holy cave in last 17 days has touched 1,25,011, officials added.
The weather in entire cave shrine area remained sunny today after a heavy downpour and hailstorm that lashed the cave shrine area yesterday.
Meanwhile in connection with annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji which started on June 29 ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ connected with traditional commencement of annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak of Shri Amarnath Ji will be performed at Pahalgam on auspicious occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ (Vyas-Purnima) that falls on July 21 (Sunday).
Announcing the annual programme of holy mace Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, Mahant Chhari-Mubarak of Shri Amarnath Ji said as per the age-old tradition, rituals Chhari-Mubarak will be taken to historic Shankracharya Temple on August 4 and Sharika Bhawani Temple on August 5 before rituals are performed for Chhari-Sthapana at Shri Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on August 7.
Mahant Deependra Giri said after performing Chhari-Pujan at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar on auspicious occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ on August 9, he will carry the holy Mace to Swami Amarnath Ji to perform Pujan and have ‘Darshan’ on auspicious occasion of ‘Shravan-Purnima’, falling on August 19 after having night halts at Pahalgam on August 14 and 15, Chandanwari on August 16, Sheshnag on August 17 and Panchtarani on August 18th respectively.
Mahant Deependra Giri Ji has urged Government to make all the necessary arrangements to preserve the age-old traditions and ensure the movement of Chhari-Mubarak as per the schedule and take all the appropriate preventive measures for the safety and security of the Sadhus and pilgrims accompanying the holy mace. He said a communiqué has been sent to Government in this regard so that appropriate steps are taken and arrangements are made for the Sadhus and pilgrims accompanying holy mace to cave shrine.
Mahant Deependra Giri has also advised Sadhus and members of civil society to get themselves registered who intend to join Chhari-Mubarak and stated that only registered Sadhus/pilgrims with valid Yatra permit will be allowed to accompany Chhari-Mubarak during the pilgrimage.
Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara Trust, Srinagar has made all the arrangements like previous years for Sadhus coming from across the country for annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji for their food and comfortable stay at Akhara Building, Budshah Chowk, Srinagar.
Meanwhile, the eighteenth batch of 4875 pilgrims left for holy cave from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 162 light and heavy motor vehicles. They included 3464 male, 1333 female, 14 children, 57 Sadhus and seven Sadhvis.
Officials said among them 1918 pilgrims preferred the shortest Baltal track while 2957 opted for the longest and traditional Chandanwari route.
All these pilgrims had reached their respective base camps by the evening where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning, official said.
Meanwhile, thousands of pilgrims also reached here from different parts of the country today to embark on holy pilgrimage. About 3000 pilgrims had entered the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas by this evening where from they will leave for twin base camps early tomorrow morning.
The yatris who had reported at twin base camps in Kashmir yesterday started their onwards sojourn towards the holy cave situated at an height of 3888 meters early this morning.
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