Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 11: A total of 724 pilgrims today performed darshan at the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath while as traditional Chhari-Pujan was performed at Dashnami Akhara with religious fervour and gaiety.
Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Navin K Choudhary said that ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra was progressing smoothly and 724 yatris had darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine today.
He clarified that yatra has not been stopped. “It is proceeding as per schedule. All the yatris reporting at Chandanwari and Domel Access Control Gates left for Holy Cave and Darshan continued whole day today without any hindrance. However, some pilgrims could not leave Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp at Jammu due to law and order situation”, he added.
According to CEO, till this evening over 3.5 lakh pilgrims performed darshan at the shrine.
Meanwhile, as per previous practice, the traditional Chhari-Pujan was performed at Dashnami Akhara with religious fervour and gaiety under the supervision of Mahant Dependra Giri Ji.
The Chhari-Pujan is an old age tradition which is performed every year at Dashnami Akhara temple on the day of Nag Panchhami.
Large numbers of Sadhus, locals, Government officials, media persons and Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims participated in the special prayers and had darshan of holy mace of Lord Shiva. The devotees also observed Bhajan-Kirtan on the occasion.
The journey of Chhari Mubarak (holy mace of Lord Shiva) will start from August 16 under the supervision of Mahant Dependra Giriji along with hundreds of Sadhus from Srinagar. The Chhari Mubarak will be taken to Amarnathji cave via Pahalgam and pass through various temples en-route to holy cave of Shri Amarnathji. The formal traditional Pujan will also be held at Shiv Temples Pampore, Bijbehara, Gotum Nag Anantnag, Martand Tirth Mattan and Ganeshbal and Chhari will stop for night stay at Pahalgam.
The Chhari-Mubarak will leave from Pahalgam to Chandanwari and make a night halt at Chandanwari on August 18 and then onward journey to Sheshnag, Panchtarni.
Finally, the Chhari Mubarak will reach Shri Amarnathji cave on August 21, on the auspicious occasion of Sharavan Poornama, (Raksha-bandhan), the day when the rituals of annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnathji culminates.
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