‘Chhari Poojan’ held
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 3: The rush of Amarnath pilgrims is picking up day by day as a fresh batch of 24,222 yatris paid their obeisance at cave shrine in South Kashmir district of Anantnag today taking the total number of pilgrims performing darshan at holy shrine since the 39 day yatra started on June 25 to 1.88 lakh.
According to an official spokesman, the rush of pilgrims is continuing as thousands of yatris are daily reporting at base camps of Nunwan in Pahalgam and Baltal for their onwards sojourn to holy cave.
The spokesman said 6,324 pilgrims left Nunwan early this morning via traditional Chandanwari track to perform darshan at holy cave. Besides thousands of pilgrims left for cave shrine from Nunwan later in the day, he added.
He said 9,436 yatris also left via shortest Baltal track for the holy cave early in the morning and the rush continued for the whole day. He said out of 1.88 lakh pilgrims, 1.5 lakh have returned to their homes and hearths after performing darshan while others are on their way.
The spokesman said that the weather was pleasant during the day but in the evening it turned cloudy.
Another batch of 4,470 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar (Jammu) Yatri Niwas for the holy cave this morning under tight security arrangements.
Comprising of 3,010 male, 1,154 female, 155 children and 151 Sadhus, the pilgrims left in a cavalcade of 148 vehicles, an official spokesman said.
He said one vehicle developed a snag near Ramban but after removal of the snag it left for Pahalgam.
The 39 day long yatra will culminate on Sawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandhan on August 2.
Two more pilgrims died taking the death toll in the ongoing yatra to 24. An official spokesman said one unidentified body was recovered near Sangam late last evening while Jaspal Singh son of Banta Ram of Punjab died of cardiac arrest at Sheshnag late last night. He was 55.
Meanwhile Bhoomi Pujan, Navgrah Pujan , Chhari Pujan (pooja of holy mace of Swami Amarnath Ji) and Dhawajarohan were performed with Vedic Mantras at Pahalgam on the occasion of Vyas Purnima today by Mahant of holy mace, Mahant Deepinder Giri Ji Maharaj.
Earlier, the holy mace was taken from Dashnami Akhara by Mahant Ji who was accompanied by a large number of Sadhus and devotees.
Prior to taking of holy mace to Pahalgam, the traditional prayers were also offered at historic Martand Temple (Mattan) in Anantnag district of South Kashmir.
On the occasion, Mahant Deepinder Giri said these are important rituals prior to main course of Swami Amarnath Ji pilgrimage. The sound of coonch shells reverberated the whole atmosphere in the area. Large number of Sadhus and pilgrims were present on the occasion who also participated in the pooja.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Ji said people of J&K irrespective of their caste, creed and religion have always cooperated, assisted and encouraged the pilgrims and Sadhus who come from across the country and even abroad for the annual pilgrimage. He suggested that Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra should be arranged and undertaken in the yatra perspective only and the pilgrims should follow the tradition as per Hindu scriptures.
He also tanked State administration for making elaborate arrangements for the pooja today. The holy mace later returned to Dashnami Akhara in the evening.
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