SRINAGAR: ‘Charri Mubarak’, Holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva entered the Holy Amarnath Cave shrine in south Kashmir HimalAyas this morning amid chanting of’ Har Har Mahadev, Bam Bam Bolay’ and vedic mantras.
With this the 55-day-long annual yatra, which commenced from both shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam tracks from June 28, concluded. More than 3.52 lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country had paid obeisance at the Holy cave, witnessing a considerable drop as more than 6.50 lakh yatris had visited the shrine last year.
After night halt at Panchtarni (4114 mtrs), devotees led by Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari, left for the Holy Cave carrying the Holy Mace.
The Holy Chhari had reached Panchtarni yesterday in the afternoon from Sheshnag. ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bolay Nath Ki Jai’, rented in the air as Mahant, holding the Chhari, started the journey to cover the six km foot journey to Holy Cave (3952 mtrs) at 0400 hrs.
A large number of devotees, including security personnel, were present when the Chhari was taken inside the Holy Cave on the occasion of Sharvan Purnima.
Day-long puja and traditional rituals will be performed inside the cave shrine before starting return journey before the dusk for a night halt at Panchtarni.
On the occasion of ‘Pratipda’ on August 22, Chhari-Mubarak shall leave at 0700 hrs for night halt at Pahalgam.
On August 23 on the occasion of ‘ Dvitiya’ ‘Pujan’ & ‘Visarjan’ ceremonies shall be performed at 1015 hrs on the bank of river Lidder. Thereafter, traditional ‘Kari-Pakouri’ Bhandara shall be organized for Sadhus.
With this last ritual, annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji shall culminate. Chhari-Mubarak shall return to its Abode Amreshwar temple, Deshnami Akharat, Budshah Chowk, at Srinagar.
