Holy mace taken to Sharika Bhawani temple
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 5: No fresh batch of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims was allowed to leave the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for Kashmir as a precautionary measure in view of the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on Monday, officials said.
“The yatra has been halted for the day as a precautionary measure. No fresh batch was allowed from Jammu to Kashmir today,” officials said.
This step has been taken by the administration in view of the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. Security has been beefed up in the city, the officials said. However 3286 pilgrims from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari paid obeisance at holy cave situated at an altitude of 3888 metres in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag by this evening.
With this a total number of 4,97, 292 pilgrims visited the holy cave in last 38 days of 52 day long pilgrimage which started on June 29 from twin tacks of Baltal and Nunwan -Pahalgam.
Meanwhile ‘Charri Mubarak’, the silver mace of Swami Amarnath, was taken to ancient ‘Sharika Bhawani’ temple at Hari Parvat in Srinagar to pay obeisance on the occasion of ‘Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada’ on Monday. Led by Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the silver Mace, the Charri Mubarak was taken to Ancient ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple, Hari Parvat, Srinagar today to pay obeisance to the Goddess on the occasion of ‘Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada’, as per the age-old traditions. A sizable number of Sadhus and devotees as well as members of Chakreshwar Sharika Sanstha led by its president, Ranjeet Gorkha also participated in the prayers that lasted for about two hours. The Sanstha also served Prashad to Sadhus and devotees on the occasion.
Goddess ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ popularly known as ‘Tripursundari’ and ‘Chakareshwari Devi’ amongst the mystics, is believed to be ‘Isht Devi’ (Presiding Deity) of the Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of ‘Shila’ (Holy Rock) at Hari-Parvat, said Mahant Deependra Giri Ji.
‘Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony shall be performed on Sunday the 7th of August at Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara Building Budshah Chowk Srinagar and traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ shall be performed on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ that falls on Friday, the 9th of August.
Chhari-Mubarak shall leave on 14th of August for Holy Shrine of Swami Amarnath Ji situated at an altitude of 13500 feet in South Kashmir from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar for the main course of pilgrimage. The traditional Pujan and rituals shall be performed on the auspicious occasion of ‘Shravan-Purnima’ on August 19, this year, Mahant Deependra Giri said. Nearly five lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the Kashmir Himalayas this year so far.
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