Chhari Pooja performed

 Chhari Poojan’ performed, 5000 more offer prayers at shrine

Over 5,000 pilgrims performed darshan in holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir district of Anantnag on 32nd day of yatra today.

With this, the total number of pilgrims performing darshan during this season till today has touched 6,17,090 mark. It may be recalled that 6,12,090 pilgrims had performed darshan in the cave shrine by late last night, a Yatra Officer said.

He said out of them six lakh pilgrims have returned to their home States while the rest were on their way. The pilgrims who performed darshan in holy cave yesterday were on their way to Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam base camps, he added.

He said the pilgrimage was progressing smoothly despite the cloudy weather on yatra routes.

The Yatra Officer said 4,882 pilgrims left for holy cave from twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam. Out of them 3,017 pilgrims left via traditional Nunwan Chandanwari track while 1,865 left via shortest Baltal route. Besides hundreds of pilgrims, who had a night halt at Sheshnag and Panjtarni yesterday, also left for their onwards sojourn this morning, he added.

He said while the pilgrims who left from Panjtarni and Baltal this morning performed darshan in cave shrine by late tonight, those who left from Sheshnag and Chandanwari were on their way to next camps.

Meanwhile on the occasion of Shrawan Amawasya today, holy Chhari Poojan was performed at historical Shankaracharya temple in a traditional way by Mahant Deepender Giri Ji, the Mahant of holy mace amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. A large number of saints and devotees participated in the function.

The holy mace was taken to Shankaracharya temple from Dashnami Akhara early this morning by Mahant Ji. After performing the traditional Chhari pooja, the holy mace was brought back to Dashnami Akhara.

It will be taken to Sharika temple at Chakreshwar, Srinagar tomorrow by Mahant Ji where the Chhari Poojan will also be performed in a traditional way.

Besides a fresh batch of 793 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu Yatri Niwas for holy cave early this morning under tight security arrangements.

Comprising 378 males, 84 females, six children and 325 Sadhus, they left in a cavalcade of 23 vehicles. These pilgrims had reached Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal base camps till last reports came in where from they will leave for their onwards sojourn tomorrow morning.

The 46 day long yatra which started on June 29 will culminate on Shrawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan falling on August 13.