Jammu, 26 July (H.S.): To maintain the age old traditions the Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji 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 while 8181 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at Himalayan cave today.
The Chhari Mubarak was led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji the sole custodian of holy mace from its abode Dashnami Akhara to Sharika Bhagwati shrine. The holy mace was accompanied by Sadhus and other devotees.
Shri Amrit Dass Ji, Mahant Shri Chander Chinar Mandir Srinagar, Shri Kameshwar Dass Ji, Mahant Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir Srinagar, Shri Prem Giri Ji, Mahant Shri Sureshwar Temple Sringar and Sadhus who accompanied Holy Mace participated in the prayers that lasted for about an hour. Sanjay Saraf a socio political leader and sizable number of members from Kashmiri community also participated in the Pujan. Collective prayers were offered for peace and prosperity of the Jammu & Kashmir and the country at whole.
Mahant Ji on the occasion said Goddess ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ popularly known as ‘Tripursundari’ and ‘Chakareshwari Devi’ amongst the mystics, is believed to be Presiding Deity (Isht Devi) of the Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of ‘Shila’ (Holy Rock) at Hari-Parvat.
Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony shall be performed on Sunday the July 27 at Shri Amareshwar Temple located in the premises of Dashnami Akhara Building Budshah Chowk Srinagar and traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ shall be performed on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ that falls on Tuesday, the 29th of July, he said.
Mahant Ji said Chhari-Mubarak will leave on August 4 for Holy Shrine of Swami Amarnath Ji situated at an altitude of 13500 feet in South Kashmir from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar for main course of pilgrimage. The traditional Pujan and rituals shall be performed on the auspicious occasion of ‘Shravan-Purnima’ on August 9, this year at the Himalayan cave. With this the 38 day long annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji will culminate.
With 8181 pilgrims performing darshan at cave shrine today total number of yatris who visited holy cave in last 23 days of pilgrimage reached 3,60,320, officials said.
All the pilgrims who performed darshan today at cave shrine started their return journey towards Domail and Panchtarni, they said. Officials said the rush of pilgrims has considerably reduced during last few days.
Meanwhile a batch of over 2,800 pilgrims left Jammu on Friday for the cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
Escorted by CRPF and police personnel, the 23rd batch of 2,896 pilgrims, including 2,505 men and 314 women, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in 117 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir between 3:30 am and 4:18 am, officials said.
The first pilgrim convoy, carrying 790 pilgrims in 42 vehicles, left for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, followed by the second convoy of 2,106 pilgrims in 75 vehicles, who are undertaking the yatra via the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district, they said.
With this, a total of 13,67,74 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the Valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.
Last year, over 5.10 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine, which houses a naturally formed ice lingam.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
