Chhari Mubarak leaves for Amarnath cave

"Chhari-Mubarak", the silver mace of Lord Shiva was today taken from Shri Amareshwar temple near here for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas, amidst chanting of Vedic hymns by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji Maharaj, the custodian of the mace.

Earlier a large number of devotees, including sadhus, led by Mahant Deependra Giri, offered Puja in the Amareshwar temple, here. Later the Chhari Mubarak left in vehicles for other destination under tight security arrangements.

Later the puja was also performed at Hindu shrines of Pampore, Awantipora, Bijbehara, Nagbal Anantnag, Mattan (Martand), Ganeshpora, Aishmuqam before reaching the Pahalgam late in the evening where the Chhari Mubarak used to have a night halt prior to eruption of militancy in Kashmir.

The holy mace after two days halt at Pahalgam will leave for Chandanwari on August 10 to reach the cave shrine on Shrawan Purnima falling on August 13.

Elaborate security and other arrangements have been made for safe journey of the "Chhari Mubarak’’, to the cave, where so far about 6.30 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance to the self made Ice-Shivlingam since the commencement of the 46-day pilgrimage from June 29.

At Mattan hundreds of devotees besides the office bearers of Tirath Raj Mattan Trust led by M K Yogi joined the puja of holy mace in a traditional way.

Mahant Giri lauded the role of the locals for extending all help to pilgrims and making the pilgrimage successful.

"We will pray for the peace and prosperity in the State at the holy cave," he said and expressed satisfaction that the pilgrimage remained peaceful.

He said the "Chhari-Sthapana’’ ceremony was performed at Shri Amareshwar temple on August 2, where the holy Mace was kept for darshan of devotees.

Earlier on August 4, Chhari-Pujan was also performed at the Amreshwar Temple, amid chanting of Vedic hymns by Mahant Deependra Giri, of the Chhari Mubarak, along with Sadhus who had come from across the country.

As described in Hindu scriptures, Chhari Pujan was an important ritual to be performed traditionally on ‘Nag-Panchami’ (Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchmi) before leaving for the main course of pilgrimage.

Mahant Giri said before eruption of militancy, Sadhus on foot carrying Chhari- Mubarak used to start their journey for holy shrine immediately after this pujan.

After night halts at Pampore, Bijbehara, Martand, Aishmuquam, Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panchtarni the silver mace would reach the holy cave on ‘Shravan-Purnima’ the ‘Raksha-Bandhan’ day.

Chhari-Mubarak, one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati will be kept in the temple for ‘Darshan’ till commencement of main course of pilgrimage tomorrow to reach holy shrine on ‘Shravan-Purnima’.

He said, "The True Trust" founded by him has made all the arrangements, including food, accommodation and transportation, for Sadhus and other devotees coming from across the country during the pilgrimage.

It was taken to historic Shankaracharya temple on the bank of Dal Lake on the occasion of "Haryalic-Amavasya’’ as per age old customs last week.

It was taken to "Sharika-Bhawani’’ Temple in the downtown city to pay obeisance to the Goddess last week.

The 46-day-long annual pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, which commenced from June 29, will conclude on August 13 when the holy mace will be taken inside the cave shrine.

The return journey of the holy Mace will start after August 13.

Meanwhile, 1,503 pilgrims left for the darshan of Ice Lingam early this morning from twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam.

While 718 pilgrims left via shortest Baltal track, 418 left via traditional Nunwan Chandanwari track. Besides, 267 yatris left by air, he added.

He said hundreds of pilgrims including those who were trapped due to yesterday’s rain fall at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni left for holy cave this morning.

While the pilgrims who left from Baltal and Panchtarni in the morning performed darshan at holy cave by late to night others were on their way, he said.

He said 2000 pilgrims had performed darhsan of Ice Shivlingam by late to night. With this 6,29,080 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave by late last night, and this number has touched 6,31, 080, he added.

He said out of this 6.20 lakh pilgrims had returned to their home states. Majority of them preferred the Baltal track for return, he added.

The weather on entire yatra route was cloudy today however the yatra was progressing smoothly, he said.

A fresh batch of 158 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas for holy cave early this morning under tight security arrangements. Comprising 90 male, 18 female, 50 Sadhus, these pilgrims left in a cavalcade of 5 vehicles.

Meanwhile arrangements for annual yatra of Pracheen Amarnath cave Thajiwara in Bijbehara tehsil of Anantnag district were finalized by the Devasthan Prabandhak Committee (DPC) Bijbehara.

The annual Pooja will commence in the evening of August 12 at newly renovated temple and it will culminate on August 13 evening. The pracheen shrine of Lord Shiva Thajiwara is one of the most prominent shrines of Hindus in Kashmir Valley.

The rush of pilgrims at Budha Amarnath also continued with 426 pilgrims leaving Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for darshan of the Shivlingam in Mandi tehsil of Poonch district today.

These pilgrims were joined by hundreds of yatris enroute and after a night halt at Poonch they will leave for holy shrine tomorrow morning.