Chhari Pujan performed at Pahalgam
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 3: While ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah-Pujan’, ‘Chhari-Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed at Pahalgam today on the occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ that marks the commencement of annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji, traditionally and religiously, over 17,000 pilgrims performed darshan of naturally formed Ice Shiv Lingam at cave shrine today from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam.
According to reports, there was heavy rush of pilgrims at holy cave today and the yatris were standing in long queues for darshan as the Monday coinciding with Vyas Purnima and Guru Purnima is considered an auspicious occasion as per Hindu mythology.
Reports said that 17,200 pilgrims had performed darshan at cave shrine by 1900 hours today. This was near about double the number of pilgrims who performed darshan at cave shrine during first two days. With this total number of pilgrims who performed darshan at cave shrine in first three days since the 62 days yatra started on July 1, has touched 35,626.
Reports said that weather remained party cloudy during the day on yatra tracks and it drizzled for some time in entire yatra area during this evening.
There was also huge rush of pilgrims at twin base camps as thousands of pilgrims reached Nunwan -Pahalgam and Baltal by this evening from Jammu and other parts of Valley to leave for their onwards sojourn.
As per reports, over 4000 yatris were camping at Panchtarni by this evening.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 4,758 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here towards the twin base camps early this morning under tight security measures in a cavalcade of 223 vehicles. Among them 1,728 pilgrims left via shortest Baltal track in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district while 3,030 pilgrims left via traditional and longest Pahalgam track in South Kashmir district of Anantnag. These pilgrims after a night halt at their respective base camps will leave for their onwards sojourn tomorrow morning.
Reports said thousands of pilgrims are daily reaching Jammu for their onwards journey to holy cave and majority of yatris have demanded that they be given nearer off line darshan dates as they can’t afford to wait at for a week or so.
At Pahalgam the ‘Bhoomi Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan,’ ‘Chhari Pujan’ and `Dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed with chanting of Vedic hymns in a traditional way.
These are important rituals prior to main course of annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji. The sound of conch shells reverberated the whole atmosphere at Pahalgam. Sizeable number of Sadhus, pilgrims and numerous Kashmiri Pandit families from Martand were present on the occasion and participated in the Pujan. Hawan was also performed after Pujan. Langar was also served to all present and offered ‘Dakshina’.
Chhari-Mubarak Shri Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji started from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar at 7:00 am for Pahalgam. District administration received Chhari-Mubarak at Sangam and accompanied up to Pahalgam.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, Mahant Chhari-Mubarak, Shri Amarnath Ji said, “This year’s pilgrimage brings greater significance as we have two ‘Shravan’ months, this year, and this extraordinary astronomical event has taken place after 19 years.”
Mahant Ji also said, “People of Jammu & Kashmir irrespective of their caste, creed or religion have been cooperating, assisting and encouraging the pilgrims and Sadhus who come here from across the country and even abroad for this annual pilgrimage”.
Prayers were also offered at Historic Martand Temple, Mattan (Anantnag). When asked by a journalist to comment on the hardships faced by the locals in wake of traffic restrictions imposed by the Government during the pilgrimage, Mahant Ji said that it is good to take the precautionary measures but at the same time he suggested to devise a mechanism by which inconvenience caused to local population is minimized.
Mahant Deependra Giri Ji expressed his satisfaction after performing these important rituals at Pahalgam and thanked the UT administration for making arrangements for the event.
The event was organized by ‘The True Trust’ founded by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji in year 2004.
Later, the Chhari Mubarak left for Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar in the evening.
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