Schedule of ‘Chhari Mubarak’ journey to Amarnath cave shrine announced
Jammu, July 16
Over 15,000 yatris had ‘Darshan’ inside the holy Amarnath cave shrine on the 16th day on Monday as Swami Deependra Giri, custodian of Lord Shiva’s holy mace (Chhari Mubarak) announced the beginning of ritual prayers/journey on Tuesday.
Swami Deependra Giri told reporters that ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ connected with the traditional commencement of the annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak of Shri Amarnathji will be performed at Pahalgam on auspicious occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ (Vyas-Purnima) that falls on July 21 (Sunday).
Announcing the annual programme of holy mace, Swami Deependra Giri said as per the age-old tradition rituals, Chhari-Mubarak will be taken to historic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar city on August 4 and Sharika Bhawani Temple on August 5 before rituals are performed for Chhari-Sthapana at Shri Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, on August 7.
He said after performing Chhari-Pujan at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, on the auspicious occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ on August 9, he will carry the holy mace to Swami Amarnathji Cave shrine to perform pujan and have ‘darshan’ on the auspicious occasion of ‘Shravan-Purnima’, falling on August 19 after having night halts at Pahalgam on August 14 and 15, Chandanwari on August 16, Sheshnag on August 17 and Panchtarani on August 18, respectively.
Swami Deependra Giri has urged the government to make all the necessary arrangements to preserve the age-old traditions and ensure the movement of Chhari-Mubarak as per the schedule and take all the appropriate preventive measures for the safety and security of the Sadhus and pilgrims accompanying the holy mace.
He said a communication has been sent to the government in this regard so that appropriate steps are taken and arrangements are made for the sadhus and pilgrims accompanying holy mace to the cave shrine.
He advised sadhus and members of civil society to get themselves registered who intend to join Chhari-Mubarak and stated that only registered sadhus/pilgrims with valid yatra permits will be allowed to accompany Chhari-Mubarak during the pilgrimage.
