Traditional Pujan tomorrow
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 23: In connection with annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak (holy mace) of Shri Amarnathji, ‘Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony was performed with chanting of Vedic hymns at Shri Amareshwar Temple, Akhara Building, Budshah Chowk, Srinagar this morning by a group of Sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, the custodian of holy mace of Shri Amarnath Ji and founder of True Trust. Puja lasted for more than two and half hours.
Chhari-Mubarak, one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati will be kept in the temple at Akhara Building, Srinagar for ‘Darshan’ till it leaves for main course of pilgrimage.
Traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ will be performed on July 25 on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ (Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchami) at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, Mahant Deepndra Giri Ji said.
He said the True Trust founded in year 2004, will make all the necessary arrangements like yester years for the annual pilgrimage.
It may be recalled that in view of COVID-19 pandemic and following the guidelines of the Government forcing the cancellation of this year’s Amarnath pilgrimage the, Chhari Mubarak will also take the aerial route to holy cave situated at 3880 metres in deep Himalayas in South Kashmir district of Anantnag like last year this time again.
The holy mace for the second time this year will not take the traditional route of Pahalgam -Chandanwari and Sheshnag to cave shrine as Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) which manages the affairs of annual yatra did not throw the track open for the pilgrimage this year owing to COVID pandemic.
However, the Sonamarg -Baltal track was opened for the pilgrims and it was earlier proposed that the yatra will be allowed to proceed from this track which is the shortest route to holy cave provided there was improvement in the situation. However, later the Board in its meeting on July 21 decided to cancel this year’s pilgrimage to holy cave in view of alarming rise in the COVID pandemic in the country as well as J&K for the overall safety and security of pilgrims and other people including security forces and employees engaged in making of yatra arrangements.
The Board said that the Chhari Mubarak will leave for holy cave and perform the Puja Archana there on Shravan Purnima which as per the tradition is the last day of annual pilgrimage. The Board also decided to provide all facilities to Chhari Mubarak in performance of annual pilgrimage of holy cave.
Meanwhile, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji said that all traditional rituals will be performed by holy mace during the pilgrimage this year despite the cancellation of the yatra. He said earlier holy mace was taken to Pahalgam on Ashad Purnima the day on which one month long holy Amarnath yatra begins traditionally and Bhoomi Pujan and other rituals were performed there. This was followed by taking of holy mace to Shankaracharya temple Srinagar from its abode Dashnami Akhara on July 20 on the occasion of Haryali Amawasia for Puja -Archna. Next day the Chhari Mubarak was taken to ancient Sharika Mata (Tripursundri) temple at Hari Parvat hillock in Srinagar for Puja, he added.
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