PAHALGAM: Amid chanting of Vedic hymns, special prayers were today held on the occasion of “Ekadashi” on the bank of river Lidder here, where devotees led by Mahant Deependra Giri, carrying Chhari Mubarak, holy Mace of Lord Shiva, will have night halt.
The Chhari will leave tomorrow noon from here to Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track to holy cave in south Kashmir Himalayas, where concluding darshan will be held on August 7.
The Chhari reached here from Srinagar after having pujan at several places on way.
Traditional Kashmiri reception was accorded when the Chhari Mubarak reached “Suriya Mandir” at temple township of Mattan in Anantnag where large number of Kashmiri pandits, joined by their Muslim and Sikh brethren received them.
Singing Kashmiri “Rouf” the devotees also raised religious slogans when the Mahant Giri, carrying Chhari, and other sadhus entered the temple.
Before leaving for Pahalgam, Mahant Giri, custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, said last evening that people of Kashmir, irrespective of their religious belief have always helped success of the pilgrimage.
About less number of pilgrims paying obeisance at the cave shrine for the past few years, he said it was clear that only two lakh have registered themselves for undertaking the pilgrimage this year.
He said that terror attack on pilgrims on July 10 had no impact on the yatris spirit. People of the Kashmir valley, cutting across party lines, strongly condemned the attack which send a clear message to those who were involved in the attack that they cannot divide people. (AGENCIES)
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