Holy Mace taken to Shankaracharya temple

Mahant Deependra Giri Ji and other Sadhus performing religious rituals at Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar where holy Mace was carried on Thursday.
Mahant Deependra Giri Ji and other Sadhus performing religious rituals at Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar where holy Mace was carried on Thursday.

Over 3000 perform darshan

Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, Aug 1: Despite the suspension of Shri Amarnath yatra up to August 4 since yesterday due to inclement weather, over 3000 pilgrims paid obeisance to naturally formed ice lingam at Himalayan cave in South Kashmir district of Anantnag on 32nd day of darshan today.
According to a spokesman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), 3,196 pilgrims drawn from different parts of country paid obeisance at holy cave from twin tracks of Baltal and Chandanwari by this evening. Till date a total number of 3,42,886 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave since the 46 -day long started on July 1.
The suspension of yatra had no effect on annual rituals being performed by Chhari Mubarak and it continued as per the already declared schedule.
On the occasion of Haryali Amavasya also known as Shravan Amavasya today the holy mace led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji was taken to historic Shankaracharya temple Srinagar. The holy mace was accompanied by Sadhus and other devotees from Dashnami Akhara to Shankaracharya temple where all rituals as per the tradition were performed and puja -Archana held by Sadhus led by Mahant Ji.
The sound of conch shell reverberated and charged the whole atmosphere. Pujan was performed amid chanting of Vedic hymns. Sizable number of Sadhus and pilgrims who had come from across the country participated in the prayers that lasted more than 90 minutes. Collective prayers were also offered for peace and prosperity of the State, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji said.
He said the ‘True Trust’, founded by him in year 2004, will make all the necessary arrangements like yesteryears for Sadhus and needy from the general public coming from across the country to join Chhari-Mubarak of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra which included their food, accommodation and transportation during the pilgrimage.
Mahant Deependra Giri Ji has also advised Sadhus and members of civil society to get themselves registered who intend to join Chhari-Mubarak Yatra and stated that only registered pilgrims with valid Yatra permit will be allowed to accompany Chhari-Mubarak during the pilgrimage.
Chhari-Mubarak will be taken to ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple, Hari Parvat in Srinagar city to pay obeisance to the Goddess tomorrow,. It will be later kept at its abode Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar up to August 5- i . e the Naag Panchmi when the holy Mace will leave for the Himalayan cave. On its way to cave shrine, the holy mace will pay obeisance at Durga Nag Temple under the foothills of Shankaracharya where the Sadhus and other devotees will be served with prashad.
Mahant Ji said the annual Amarnath pilgrimage is the symbol of communal harmony and age -old brotherhood in the State as all people from all communities render their cooperation in making this yatra a success.
Reports reaching here from holy cave and Baltal said that weather in the cave shrine area remained cloudy but dry during the day and the yatra proceeded smoothly from both the tracks. Over 800 pilgrims were camping at Baltal base camp when last reports came in while one thousand pilgrims were camping at Nunwan and Pahalgam.
Reports said that 2000 pilgrims are camping at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here while over 1000 pilgrims are in other parts of the city as no yatri bus was allowed to proceed towards Kashmir valley on second consecutive day today in view of the Indian Metrological Department forecast that there will be heavy rainfall in Jammu region and other parts of Valley resulting in landslides and shooting stones.
Reports said that 193 pilgrims crossed the gateway of Lakhanpur towards Jammu in 17 vehicles during last 24 hours while hundreds of more pilgrims reached here through train services from different parts of the country also.
It may be recalled that the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji will culminate on Shravan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival falling on August 15 when holy Mace of Lord Shiva will reach the cave shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara Srinagar.

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