Over 7000 perform darshan, Yatra inching towards 4 lakh
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 29: In connection with the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, the Chhari-Pujan was performed in Shri Amareshwar Temple at Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara building, Srinagar with religious fervor and gaiety on the occasion of Nag Panchmi while over 7000 pilgrims performed darshan at Himalayan cave from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam by this evening.
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According to officials, 7203 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country today paid obeisance at Himalayan cave at 3880 meters in South Kashmir district of Anantnag. With this, a total number of 3,93,401 pilgrims have paid obeisance in cave shrine in last 27 days.
Officials said the yatra may cross four lakh by tomorrow or day after tomorrow.
Among the 7203 pilgrims who paid obeisance at cave shrine today included 5025 males, 1352 females, 109 children, 47 Sadhus, one Sadhvi, one transgender and 668 security personnel.
Officials said the Kavad who had started his journey from South India after covering 7000 kilometers has reached holy cave and performed darshan of Ice Lingam.
At Dashnami Akhara, the Chhari Pujan was performed by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji accompanied by Sadhus who have come from across the country. Besides, a large number of devotees participated in the function.
Large number of devotees besides Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims participated in the special prayers and had darshan of holy mace.
Performing Chhari-Pujan at Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara on ‘Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchami’ is an age-old tradition. Until year 1989, Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji used to depart for main course of pilgrimage immediately after this Pujan and Sadhus carrying the holy mace used to cover the entire journey of about 148 kilometers on foot from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar to holy shrine of Amarnath Ji making night halts at Pampore, Bijbehara, Anantnag, Martand, Aishmuqam, Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni.
Mahant Ji said Chhari-Mubarak, this year, shall leave for the main course of pilgrimage on August 4 from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar. The first two-night halts shall be made at Pahalgam. Enroute to Pahalgam, Pujan shall also be performed at Sureshwar Temple Srinagar, Shiv Temple Pampore, Shiv Temple Bijbehara, Martand Tirth Mattan and Ganesh Temple, Ganeshbal across the river Lidder.
Thereafter, Chhari-Mubarak will make night halts at Chandanwari on 6th of August, Sheshnag on 7th of August and Panchtarni on 8th of August. Chhari-Mubarak will reach holy shrine of Amarnath Ji on the occasion of Shravan Purnima that falls on Saturday the 9th of August and traditional rituals and Pujan will be performed therein.
Mahant Ji explained the significance of performing Chhari-Pujan on Nag Panchami. He also appealed to people of Jammu and Kashmir and to one and all to be more vigilant to avert Pahalgam like mishaps in future.
In response to a question, he said that there has been a huge footfall of yatra so far even after the Pahalgam episode, Mahant Ji said the devotees have full faith in Swami Amarnath Ji. It is not whether Government makes two tier or three tier security but they have faith in Lord and they come to have darshan from far and wide places. It is not from India but devotees from abroad have visited the holy cave. He said the tourism sector which had received a setback after Pahalgam episode has been revived by the Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra.
‘The True Trust’, founded by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji in year 2004, has made all the necessary arrangements like yester years for Sadhus and needy from the general public coming from across the country to join Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra for their food, tented accommodation and transportation during the annual pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, 1490 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning under tight security arrangements for twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal in Kasmir Valley in a cavalcade of 61 vehicles. Out of them 1163 preferred Pahalgam Nunwan track while 327 preferred Baltal route. This is the lowest number of pilgrims leaving from Jammu to holy cave since the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims on July 2.
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