Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 11: In connection with annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak Shri Amarnathji, ‘Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony was performed amid chanting of Vedic hymn and rituals at Shri Amareshwar Temple, here this morning.
As a group of Sadhus, led by Mahant Deependra Giri of Dashnami Akhara, performed the Puja rituals at the temple in Akhara Building, Budshah Chowk, Srinagar, the sound of conch shell and hymns reverberated the whole atmosphere in the area.
Keeping in view Covid -19 pandemic situation, only selected number of Sadhus joined the Puja rituals that lasted for about two hours.
Chhari-Mubarak (holy Mace), one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati shall be kept in the Temple at Akhara Building Srinagar for ‘Darshan’ till it leaves for main course of pilgrimage on 22nd of August.
Devotees strictly following Covid protocols shall have the privilege to have ‘Darshan’ of Holy Mace kept in Shri Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara Budshah Chowk Srinagar from 10 AM to 11 AM and 6 PM to 7PM.
Traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ shall be performed on 13th of August on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ (Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchami) at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar. ‘The True Trust’, founded by Mahant Deependra Giri in year 2004, has made all the necessary arrangements like yester years for the main course of pilgrimage.
Earlier on July 24, the ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgreh-Pujan’, ‘Chhari-Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed amidst Vedic rituals at Pahalgam marking the commencement of traditional annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji.
According to Mahant Deependra Giri, all the rituals connected with the holy Amarnath pilgrimage will be performed as per past practice before taking the holy Mace on its last journey to cave shrine.
The “Chhari-Mubarak” Puja at the cave shrine on Shravan Purnima, falling on August 22, shall mark the formal end of this year’s Amarnath Yatra, which has already been cancelled for the second year in a row due to Covid pandemic situation.
Even as the annual pilgrimage has been cancelled, all the religious rituals including ‘Chhari Yatra’ are being performed as per the tradition at the holy cave shrine. Devotees are not allowed to visit the holy cave this year too, but they can watch ‘live darshan’ and virtually attend the Aarti. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has made all arrangements for live ‘darshan’.
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