Age-old traditional rituals connected with Amarnath yatra to start from tomorrow

SRINAGAR:  The traditional age-old rituals  associated with the annual pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas will commence from tomorrow  on the occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ (Vyas-Purnima) with ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’.

     According to Mahant Deependra Giri, Mahant Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath  as per age-old tradition, rituals namely ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ connected with commencement of annual Chhari-Mubarak yatra will be performed at Pahalgam, 100 km from here, in south Kashmir district of Anantnag.

   He said Chhari Mubarak, the holy silver Mace of Lord Shiva, will leave Dashnami Akhara in Budshah Chowk area of the city tomorrow at 0515 hrs for Pahalgam.

     He said Bhoomi-Pujan and Dhawajarohan ceremonies would be performed at Pahalgam by devotees, led by Mahant Giri, custodian of Chhari Mubarak.

    After performing the rituals, Chhari Mubarak will return to Dashani Akara  in the evening.

  However, pujan will be performed at the historic Martand temple, Mattan, Anantnag on way from Pahalgam to Srinagar. (AGENCIES)