Holy mace taken to Shankaracharya temple
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 20: Though the uncertainty looms large over this year’s Shri Amarnath Ji yatra due to rise in COVID -19 pandemic cases all over the country including the Union Territory of J&K, the Chhari-Mubarak of Shri Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, its sole custodian was taken to historic Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar today for prayers on the occasion of ‘Haryali-Amavasya’ (Shravan Amavasya) to maintain the age-old tradition.
As Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and UT administration have yet till date not taken any decision on the pilgrimage, the holy mace of Lord Shiva was taken from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar to historic Shankaracharya temple today. It was led by Mahant Deependera Giri Ji who was accompanied by a group of selected Sadhus and devotees in view of guidelines and SOPs issued by Government due to COVID Pandemic.
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According to sources the SASB is holding a meeting of Board members tomorrow to take a final decision on this year’s yatra. Earlier during its meeting with the members of Baba Amarnath and Baba Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas (BABBAYN) it was decided that in view of the pandemic the yatra will be restricted for 15 days only and it will start from July 21 up to Shravan Purnima falling on August 3.
The Niyas members had given this proposal to SASB and stressed on continuance of the yatra though restricting the number of pilgrims visiting daily to holy cave. However, with the surge in COVID cases in J&K and other parts of the country the Board and J&K administration has not yet reached any decision in this regard, sources said adding that the Board has convened a meeting through Video conferencing tomorrow in which the final decision can be taken.
However, the security has been tightened at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas the base camp of Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu where the CRPF and JKP jawans in large numbers are guarding the area. Every person entering the Yatri Niwas is thoroughly being frisked by the jawans of security forces on duty.
Meanwhile, after holy mace reached the historic Shankaracharya temple in the heart of Srinagar city today Puja was performed in a traditional way by chanting Vedic hymns by the scholars and Sadhus. The sound of conch shells reverberated and charged the whole atmosphere. Pujan lasted for about 90 minutes.
Collective prayers were offered for early end of the pandemic so that people across the globe can start living their normal and natural life at the earliest. Collective prayers were also offered for peace and prosperity of Jammu & Kashmir.
When asked about this year’s Chhari yatra to holy cave Mahant Ji said that total uncertainty prevailed due to COVID Pandemic as the cases are rising day by day and the Shrine Board as well as the UT administration is undecided over the yatra also. He said under the prevailing situation this year too Chhari Mubarak will be taken to holy cave through special chopper like last year as the holy mace can’t take the traditional Pahalgam -Chandanwari track this time too.
Talking to Excelsior Mahant Ji said “Since Pahalgam-Chandanwari -Sheshnag -Panchtarni track has not been repaired this year, I don’t think we will be able to take that route. It seems we may have to take aerial route like last year, but it is yet to be finalised”, he added.
He further said that the Government has not yet announced the dates and procedure for registration of yatris as well as yatra dates and till date every thing seems to be uncertain.
Maintaining that holy Amarnath pilgrimage is one of the ancient pilgrimages of the country which dates back to Bringesh Rishi of Kashmir, he said Bringesh Rishi who existed during the time of Kashyap Rishi was the first to visit the holy cave to perform the darshan and this has been described in Bringesh Sahitya. Mahant Ji, while throwing light on the history of holy shrine said it is also known as Amreshwar. This has been described in Kalhan Pandit’s Rajtarangni also, he added.
Jevan Raj another historian of Kashmir has said that the famous Muslim King of Kashmir Zain-ul- Abdin had also performed the darshan of holy cave during his time and this reveals that it is an ancient yatra. Swami Vivekananda a great monk of India has also said that it is an ancient yatra, Mahant Ji added.
Describing Shri Amarnath Yatra a social festival, he said earlier prior to constitution of Shrine Board, the State Government used to make all arrangements for the yatra to make it a successful pilgrimage. Besides, people belonging to majority community were also involved in making this yatra a success. This Yatra reflects the mixed culture of India, he added.
He said this yatra is of one month’s duration i.e it starts on Ashad Purnima which is also known as Guru Purnima or Vyas Purnima and concludes on Shravan Purnima. On the Ashad Purnima the holy mace is taken to Pahalgam where various religious rituals including flag hoisting is performed marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of holy Amarnath cave. On Haryali Amawasiya the holy mace is taken to Shankaracharya temple for puja, he added.
‘The True Trust’, founded by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji in year 2004, will make all the necessary arrangements like previous years for Sadhus coming from across the country to join Chhari-Mubarak Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra for their food, accommodation and transportation during the pilgrimage.
Chhari-Mubarak will be taken to ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple, Hari Parvat, Srinagar to pay obeisance to the Goddess tomorrow, Mahant Ji said.
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