Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Aug 29: Over 25,000 pilgrims performed darshan at the holy shrine of Budha Amarnath ji at Mandi on the day of Raksha Bandhan today while the Holy Mace of Lord Shiva would reach Akhara Mandir Poonch tomorrow.
1008 Swami Vishavatma Anand Saraswati ji Maharaj will lead the Chhari Yatra back to Poonch. A grand concluding religious function will be held at Akhara Temple Poonch tomorrow.
Officials sources said that right from 4 am in the morning today, the devotees started forming long queues at the temple gate. The devotees in large number today thronged the shrine and they continued paying their obeisance throughout the day. Special prayers were offered by the Swami ji and other Sadhus and religious personalities besides prominent persons accompanying Chhari Yatra. Bhajan- Kirtan continued in the temple complex and several top religious personalities delivered sermons.
The District Administration had made elaborate security and other arrangements for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra. DC Poonch, Nissar Ahmed Wani and SSP J S Johar were themselves supervising arrangements as they had been moving with the Chhari Yatra. Besides public `langars’ at Mandi, BSF and Army also made arrangements of eatables for the pilgrims.
Mr Wani told the Excelsior that for the first time during this annual yatra, stalls of handicrafts, khadi items and Agriculture/ Horticulture produce of the State were established at Mandi. The pilgrims from outside the State were provided opportunity to purchase special products of J&K. He said that Yatra remained peaceful and smooth and all the agencies including PHE, PDD, security, Traffic police, Local Bodies etc performed their job well. There was tremendous local support from all the communities to make this yatra a success.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel