Holy mace may take aerial route: Mahant
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 25: Though holy Amarnath yatra stands cancelled this year owing to alarming rise COVID-19 pandemic cases across the country as well as UT of J&K, the rituals of Chhari Mubarak, however, continued as usual.
On the occasion of Nag Panchmi today, Chhari-Pujan was performed this evening at Shri Amareshwar Temple, Dashnami Akhara, Budshah Chowk, Srinagar with religious fervor and gaiety with chanting of Vedic Hymn by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji the custodian of holy mace along with selected number of Sadhus and devotees. During the Pujan of holy mace all the protocols set by the administration in view of COVID-19 were followed fully.
Chhari Pujan is an important ritual to be performed traditionally on ‘Nag-Panchami’ (Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchmi) before the holy mace leaves for the main course of pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji as described in religious scriptures.
Though this year’s annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji has been cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic but customary rituals associated with the pilgrimage will be performed till last to preserve the age-old traditions.
As per past practice, Sadhus carrying Chhari-Mubarak used to start their journey on foot for holy Shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji immediately after this Pujan. Having night halts at Pampore, Bijbehara, Anantnag, Tirath Raj Martand, Aishmuquam, Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni, the Chhari-Mubarak would reach holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji situated at an altitude of 13500 feet from the sea level on ‘Shravan-Purnima’ the ‘Raksha-Bandhan’ day.
After performing the day long pujan and paying obeisance to Lord Shiva in the cave shrine, the holy mace starts its return journey towards the Panchtarni where after night halt it returns towards Pahalgam next day. At Pahalgam, the concluding immersion ceremony is performed by Sadhus led by Mahant Ji and later the participants are served with Kari Pakoda Prashad at bank of river Lidder before the holy mace leaves for its abode in Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar.
Addressing the gathering after Chhari Pujan, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji said, “Like last year, this year too we may have to take the aerial route to reach Holy Shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji to perform rituals and Pujan on ‘Shravan-Purnima’ that falls on August 3 this year”.
Special collective prayers were offered today and will also be offered at holy Cave on Shravan Purnima for early eradication of the pandemic and present distress facing the mankind all over the globe, he added.
He said all the rituals in connection with holy mace were performed since the Vyas Purnima last month the day from which the month- long annual Amarnath Ji yatra as per traditions begins. On this day flag hoisting and other rituals of holy mace were performed at the bank of river Lidder at Pahalgam after paying obeisance at Sun temple of Mattan in Anantnag district.
This was followed by the Chhari Pujan in historic Shankaracharya temple in the heart of Srinagar city on the occasion of Haryali Amawasiya and Chhari Pujan in ancient Sharika Bhagwati temple on the hillock of Hari Parvat next day, he added.
Mahant Ji said prior to Chhari Pujan today, Chhari Sathapana was held in the premises of Dashnami Akhara on July 23.
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