17,000 perform darshan
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 10: Bhumi Pujan and other religious ceremonies of the Saffron robed silver mace of Lord Shiva known as Chhari Mubarak was performed at Pahalgam with religious fervour and gaiety on the occasion of Vyas Purnima also known as Guru Purnima, while 17,022 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at the holy cave on the eighth day of darshan today.
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Chhari Mubarak was ceremoniously taken to Pahalgam for the Bhumi Pujan ritual, marking the formal commencement of the age-old traditions associated with the annual Amarnath Yatra.
Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns, a group of Sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, the sole custodian of holy mace took the Chhari Mubarak from its abode Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar to Pahalgam. The holy mace was then taken to Gauri Shankar Temple, where the Bhumi Pujan was performed with religious fervour.
The ceremony witnessed participation of a number of devotees reinforcing the composite cultural ethos of the region.
The Chhari Mubarak will continue its traditional journey as per the religious calendar, culminating in the final darshan at the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji.
Later Chhari Mubarak was taken to historical Sun temple of Martand where religious rituals were held in traditional way. Besides, the Chhari Mubarak had a holy dip in the sacred spring at the shrine. The Sadhus and the devotees performed Puja at the holy shrine and later they were served with Prashad arranged by Tirath Raj Mattan Trust.
Mahant Ji, while talking to reporters said the holy mace one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati left the Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar early in the morning for Bhumi Pujan, Navgrah Pujan, flag hoisting and other religious rituals at Pahalgam. He said as per tradition the annual Amarnath Ji yatra commences with Bhumi Pujan at Pahalgam on this day.
Mahant Ji said the Sadhus prayed for world peace and harmony. “As per Vedic tradition, we pray for the welfare of human beings and universe as a whole’’. He said special prayers were also held for return of total peace and brotherhood in the Kashmir valley.
Speaking on the occasion, president, Tirath Raj Mattan Ashok Sidha said that from times immemorial Chhari Mubarak visits holy shrine on two occasions and performs religious rituals here. He said Trust had made all arrangements for visiting Yatris and Sadhus. He also complimented the administration and local people for their cooperation and support.
After performing the religious rituals at Mattan shrine, the Chhari Mubarak returned to Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar where from it will leave for holy cave on August 4.The Chhari Mubarak will also be taken to historic Shankaracharya temple Srinagar on Haryali Amavasya on July 24.
With 17,022 pilgrims performing darshan at cave shrine today, total number of 1, 45,716 pilgrims have visited holy cave in last eight days.
Among the yatris who paid obeisance today included 12,4 71 males, 4000 females, 182 children, 108 Sadhus, five Sadhvis, three transgenders and 253 security personnel.
Officials said that it rained for some time in the evening on yatra area and holy cave but the pilgrimage passed smoothly.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of more than 7,300 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the South Kashmir Himalayas this morning, officials said.
Till yesterday about 1.28 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine, located at a height of 3,880 metres, since the commencement of the 38-day annual yatra from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 3, the officials said.
According to the officials, the ninth batch of 7,307 pilgrims — 5,534 men, 1,586 women, 25 children and 162 sadhus and sadhvis — left in 284 vehicles between 3:15 am and 3:58 am amid tight security.
While 3,081 pilgrims left in 137 vehicles for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, 4,226 pilgrims left in 147 vehicles via the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district.
With this, a total of 62,788 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the Kashmir valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.
The Bhagwati Nagar base camp has been placed under a multi-tier security cover in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.
More than 4 lakh people have registered online for the pilgrimage so far. The yatra will conclude on Sawan Purnima falling on August 9.
Last year, more than 5.10 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine, which houses a naturally formed ice lingam.
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