Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 9: Chanting vedic hymns and ‘bam bam bolay,’ the ‘Chhari Sthapana’ ceremony was today performed at Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara building at Budshah Chowk near here today.
The Chhari Sthapana of holy silver mace of Lord Shiva was done by Mahant Deependera Giri, custodian of the Chhari.
A large number of Sadhus and other devotees joined the ceremony.
Chhari Mubarak, one depicting Lord Shiva and another goddess Parvati will be kept in the temple for ‘darshan’ till the commencement of main course of pilgrimage on August 16, Mahant Giri said.
He said traditional Chhari Pujan’ will be performed on Sunday on the occasion of ‘Nagpanchami’ at Dashnami Akhara.
“We also prayed for peace in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir valley, he said and appreciated locals for extending cooperation to yatris.
On the occasion of ‘Nagpanchami,’ which falls on August 11, ‘Chhari Pujan’ will be held at Dashnami Akhara at 1700 hrs.
On August 16, on the occasion of Dashmi, the Chhari will start journey from Dashnami Akhara to holy cave shrine in South Kashmir, where the final darshan will be held on August 21 on the occasion of Sharavan-Purnima, Rakshabandhan.
Meanwhile, 764 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave today. With this total number of pilgrims performing darshan in cave shrine so far has reached 3,49,784. Till yesterday 3,49,020 pilgrims had performed darshan in the cave shrine, an official spokesman said.
He said 247 pilgrims left from Baltal base camp to holy cave this morning via shortest track while 171 left by chopper. Besides, 238 pilgrims left for cave shrine from Nunwan-Pahalgam base camp via traditional Chandanwari track this morning under tight security measures, spokesman added.
He said the weather enroute to cave shrine was pleasant.
A fresh batch of 105 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas to holy cave under tight security measures in three vehicles early this morning.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
