Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 7: Though the holy Amarnath yatra remained suspended on both tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari as well as from Jammu due to heavy rains that lashed many parts of the State since last night, traditional Chhari-Pujan was performed on the auspicious occasion of Naag Panchmi at Shri Amareshwar Temple, Dashnami Akhara Srinagar today amid chanting of Vedic hymns.
A large number of Sadhus and devotees led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, the custodian of holy mace of Lord Shiva participated in Chhari-Pujan on the occasion. As usual Sadhus from various parts of country have reached Srinagar to participate in Chhari-Pujan and holy Amarnath pilgrimage this time also.
Mahant Deependra Giri said that as per Hindu religious scriptures, Chhari pujan is an important ritual to be performed on Nag Panchami before leaving for holy cave of Swami Amarnath Ji shrine.
Mahant Ji said as per a tradition, Sahdus carrying Chhari-Mubarak used to start their journey on foot to holy shrine situated in deep Himalayas at an altitude of 13000 feet in South Kashmir district of Anantnag soon after this ritual. Having night halts at Pampore, Bijbehara, Anantnag, Martand, Aishmuqam, Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni, Chhari Mubarak would reach holy cave on Shravan Purnima, the Raksha –Bandhan day.
However, this year Chhari Mubarak will leave on August 13 from Dashnami Akhara to reach holy cave on Shravan Purnima falling on August 18. The night halts at religious places enroute from Pampore to Pahalgam have been postponed due to unrest in Valley.
En-route to Pahalgam for first night halt, Pujan will be performed at Sureshwar Temple Srinagar, Shiv Temple Pampore, Shiv Temple Bijbehara, Martand Tirth Mattan and Ganesh Temple Ganeshbal across the river Lidder.
Thereafter, Chhari-Mubarak will make night halts at Chandanwari on August15, Sheshnag on August 16 and Panchtarani on August 17. On August 18, the day of Shravan- Purnima (Raksha-Bandhan), Chhari-Mubarak will proceed from Panchtarni to holy cave of Amarnath Ji for darshan and Pujan.
‘The True Trust’, founded by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji in year 2004 will make all the arrangements like yester years for Sadhus and other devotees from the general public coming from across the country to join Chhari-Mubarak of Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra.
Meanwhile, 101 devotees performed darshan at holy cave today and with this the total number of devotees paying obeisance in holy cave since the 48 day long yatra started on July 2, has touched 2,17,928.
According to an official spokesman, the yatra remained suspended on both the routes of Baltal and Chandanwari today due to heavy rains and slippery track. The authorities suspended yatra this morning after heavy rains lashed the yatra track and holy cave to avert any catastrophe. The chopper services from Pahalgam and Baltal to holy cave also remained suspended due to bad weather, spokesman added.
The yatra also remained suspended from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here to two base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal following heavy rains and landslides in Jammu region.
However, three pilgrims left from Chandanwari to holy cave early this morning, spokesman said.
He said 30 pilgrims are staying at Nunwan base camp for night while 148 yatris left for Jammu from Pahalgam.
The spokesman said 63 pilgrims reached Baltal today but could not leave for holy cave due to bad weather. He said 150 pilgrims are stranded at Baltal at present.
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