Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 20: Annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji culminated today at Pahalgam with holding of last rituals ‘Pujan’ & ‘Visarjan’, ceremonies which were performed at the bank of river Lidder. Sizable number of Sadhus and pilgrims who had come from various parts of the country joined the Pujan. Later, ‘Karri-Pakouri’ Bhandara was organized and ‘Dakshina’ was offered.
Chhari-Mubarak was taken to holy Shrine of Swami Amarnathji on August 18 on the occasion of ‘Sharavan-Purnima’ coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival and Pujan was performed with Vedic Hymn in ‘Abhijit Muhurat’. Officials from different arms of State Administration had also joined the Pujan.
Completing 25 years in service of Swami Amarnath Ji, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji the custodian of Holy Mace said that collective prayers were offered for the peace and prosperity of the State in particular when asked to comment on ongoing unrest in the Kashmir valley. He said, “I appeal to one and all to maintain peace. Keeping in view the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir valley, I appeal to all the concerned quarters to sit and put their hearts & heads together to reconcile and ensure that no more invaluable human lives are lost. I also appeal to youth of Kashmir valley to turn away from violent protests” he added.
Addressing the gathering after the culminating ceremony, Mahant Deependra Giri congratulated and thanked the State administration, Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, J&K Police, Health Department, PHE, PDD, all the agencies connected with making arrangements for the Yatra and people of Jammu & Kashmir for successful Yatra. He appreciated the services rendered by all the voluntary organizations for providing langar, medical and other essential facilities to the pilgrims during the pilgrimage.
All the arrangements including transportation, accommodation and food for the Sadhus and people from general public who had accompanied Chhari-Mubarak during Swami Amarnath ji Yatra were made by ‘The True Trust’ founded by Mahant Deependra Giri ji in year 2004.