5000 perform darshan
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 30: On the 32nd day of pilgrimage, 5000 yatris drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji in Lidder Valley of South Kashmir by this evening while a fresh batch of 1477 yatris left from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for twin base camps of Baltal-Sonamarg in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir and Nunwan Pahalgam in South Kashmir district of Anantnag early this morning under tight security arrangements in a cavalcade of 52 light and heavy motor vehicles.
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Meanwhile, Mahant of holy mace of Swami Amarnath Ji, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji said that the holy mace of Lord Shiva will leave from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar to holy cave for main course of pilgrimage on August 14 morning after performing all rituals.
Officials said 5010 yatris performed darshan of naturally formed Ice Shivlingam from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan-Chandanwari beside special chopper services by this evening taking the total number of yatris visiting the holy cave since the 52- day long pilgrimage started on June 29 to 4,71, 352.
They included 2951 males, 1160 females, 66 children, 71 Sadhus, one Sadhvi and one transgender. All these pilgrims after performing darshan at cave shrine have started their return journey towards Baltal base camp and Panchtarni haltage camp enroute to Pahalgam.
Among the 1477 pilgrims who left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas early this morning for twin base camps included 1142 males, 254 femalse, three children, 66 Sadhus and 12 Sadhvis.
Among them 377 preferred the shortest but tough Baltal-Domail track while 1100 pilgrims opted for the longest but traditional Nunwan -Chandanwari track. All these pilgrims have reached their respective base camps by this evening where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Disclosing the programme of annual Chhari yatra to holy cave Mahant Deepndra Giri Ji told Excelsior though the annual pilgrimage as per tradition started on Vyas Purnima on July 21 by performing Bhoomi Pujan and Dhwajarohan at Pahalgam, the holy mace will leave for final course of pilgrimage from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on August 14.
He said prior to it, Chhari Mubarak will be taken to Shankaracharya temple from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar in the morning of August 4 and it will return to its abode on the same day in the evening after performing the traditional Puja. On August 5, holy mace will be taken to Sharika Bhawani temple in Old City, Srinagar from Dashnami Akhara and after paying obeisance there it will return to its abode in the evening.
Mahant Ji said Chhari Sathapana and Dhwajarohan ceremonies will be held at Dashnami Akhara on August 7 while traditional Chhari Pujan will be performed in Dashnami Akhara on August 9 evening.
He said on August 14 the holy mace will leave annual course of pilgrimage for the two night halts at Pahalgam and enroute it will pay obeisance at Sureshwar temple, Srinagar, Shiv temple, Pampore, Shiv Temple, Bijbehara, Martand Tirath, Mattan, Ganesh temple across river Lidder Ganeshbal and Gouri -Shanker Temple, Pahalgam. The holy mace will stay for two nights i.e on August 14 and 15 at Pahalgam. On August 15, Puja will also be performed at Pahalgam.
On August 16, Chhari Mubarak will leave Pahalgam at 3 pm for night halt at Chandanwari. From Chandanwari it will leave on August 17 morning for a night halt at Sheshnag. After a night halt at Sheshnag the holy mace will leave for last halting place enroute cave shrine Panchtarni on August 18 morning.
After a night halt at Panchtarni, the Chhari Mubarak will leave for cave shrine and after performing Pujan and other rituals it will return towards Panchtarni on the same day for night halt on its way to Pahalgam.
From Panchtarni holy mace will return to Pahalgam on August 20 morning. After reaching Pahalgam the Pujan and immersion ceremonies will be held at the bank of river Lidder in a traditional way on August 21 and with performance of the last rituals the annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji will culminate, he said.
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