Sadhus pray for peace, prosperity of mankind
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 19: With Chhari Mubarak, the silver robbed mace of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati reaching holy cave early this morning, the 52 -day long annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra of this year culminated on the occasion of Sawan Purnima on Monday.
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The Chhari Mubarak led by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji Maharaj of Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar left for holy cave from Panchtarni –the last halting camp on way to Himalayan cave via Pahalgam track early this morning. The Sadhus and devotees accompanying holy mace were chanting Har Har Mahadev and Bum Bum Bhole while tracking the treacherous track from Panchtarni to holy cave.
At cave shrine a day long Puja and prayers were performed by Sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri in a traditional way. Chanting Vedic Mantras in praise of Lord Shiva, they prayed for world peace, prosperity and well being of mankind.
This year the yatra continued smoothly and peacefully during the last 52 days with 5.10 lakh Yatris having ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine.
‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Silver robbed Lord Shiva’s Mace), carried by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri started the last leg of its journey from Panchtarni to the holy cave this morning.
The Yatra started this year on June 29 and culminated today after 52 days amid high-security arrangements.
The ubiquitous presence of police and the CAPFs all along the Yatra route from Jammu to the two base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam), highly professionally and technologically equipped security at the transit camps and above all, the total cooperation of the local people made the incident-free conduct of the Yatra possible this year.
Accompanied by Sadhus and devotees chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ and Vedic hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, the final journey of Chhari Mubarak started from Panchtarni, the last halting camp, towards the cave shrine situated 3888 metres above the sea-level in Kashmir Himalayas.
The cave shrine houses a naturally formed ice Shivlingam that wanes and waxes with the phases of the Moon.
Amid traditional ‘Puja’ and rituals, daylong prayers were offered for world peace and prosperity of mankind after which the Chhari Mubarak returned to Panchtarni on the way to Pahalgam.
Chhari Mubarak left its seat at Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 14. After paying obeisance at various temples en route, it stayed at Pahalgam for two nights before starting its onward journey to the cave shrine on August 16.
Swami Deependra Giri, the sole custodial of Chhari Mubarak, expressed satisfaction over the improved arrangements made by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) headed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and the Union Territory administration for the pilgrims.
Swami Deependra Giri said with the increased facilities, including the widening of the track to the cave shrine the influx of pilgrims has increased.
He said the Chhari Mubarak made special prayers for the peace and prosperity of the mankind at cave shrine. Special prayers were offered for peace and prosperity of the country, including J&K, considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The Chhari Mubarak has reached Panchtarni by the evening on its way to Pahalgam tomorrow. After a night halt at Pahalgam the immersion ceremonies of relics will be performed in the river Lidder as per traditions by Sadhus and devotees accompanying the holy mace. Later all the Sadhus and devotees will be served the Prashad in the form of Kari –Pakoda at the bank of river Lidder.
After completion of all rituals, the holy mace will proceed to its abode Dashnami Akhara Srinagar in the evening.
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