Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Aug 18: ‘Chhari Mubarak’, the Holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva left for Chandanwari from base camp Pahalgam this afternoon, where puja was held on the occasion of ‘Dwadashi’ on the bank of the river Lidder.
Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of Chhari, led the puja before the yatra left for Chanandwari amid changing of ‘Bam Bam Bholey’ and vedic mantras.
Meanwhile, the traditional Pahalgam route will be closed from 1100 hrs tomorrow while Baltal will remain open till 0900 hrs on August 21.
After night halt at Chandanwari, the Chhari Mubarak left this afternoon on the occasion of ‘ Tryodashi’ for a night halt at Sheshnag (3352 mtrs).
Mahant Giri said Chhari Mubarak will leave at 0700 hrs from Sheshnag on August 20 for a night halt at Panchtarani (4114 mtrs), six km short of Holy Cave.
Next morning on August 21, the Chhari Mubarak will leave at 0400 hrs Panchtarni for Holy Cave (3952 mtrs) on the occasion of Raksha Bandan’ Sharavan Purnima.
He said traditional rituals shall be performed and prayers shall be offered the whole day at Holy Cave.
However, before dusk, Chhari-Mubarak shall leave for night halt at Panchtarni.
On the occasion of ‘Pratipda’ on August 22, Chhari-Mubarak shall leave at 0700 hrs for night halt at Pahalgam.
On August 23 on the occasion of ‘ Dvitiya’ ‘Pujan’ & ‘Visarjan’ ceremonies shall be performed at 1015 hrs on the bank of the river Lidder.
Thereafter, traditional ‘Kari-Pakouri’ Bhandara shall be organised for Sadhus. With this last ritual, annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji shall culminate. Chhari-Mubarak shall return to its Abode at Srinagar.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) P P Singh said that subject to fair weather conditions, the last batch of Yatris from the Pahalgam route shall be allowed to cross the Chandanwari Access Control Gate upto 1100 hrs tomorrow.
He said that the last batch of Yatris from the Baltal route shall be allowed to cross the Access Control Gate at Domel upto 0900 hrs on August 21.
However, the Yatris who prefer to travel by helicopters to Panjtarni, if weather conditions permit heli-operations, shall be allowed to take heli-flights upto 0900 on August 21 from Baltal and Pahalgam Heli Bases.
The last batch of yatra will also leave from Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas tomorrow for holy cave, an official spokesman said.
He said a group of 40 pilgrims left the Yatri Niwas early this morning in two buses for the holy cave.
He said 302 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave today. With this, total pilgrims performing darshan in cave shrine so far has reached 3,53,032, spokesman added.
He said though there was a heavy down pour on both the tracks, the yatra proceeded smoothly during the day. He said 379 pilgrims left from Baltal via shortest track for holy cave this morning while 251 pilgrims left from Nunwan-Pahalgam base camp to holy cave via traditional Chandanwari track.
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