Srinagar: The Holy Chhari Mubarak, Silver Mace of Lord Shiva, will be taken to Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas on August 22 for final puja on Sharad Purnima (Raksha bandhan).
The announcement was made by Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari Mubarak here on Tuesday.
He said though the yatra 2021 has been cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic, all age-old traditional rituals associated with the annual pilgrimage will be performed.
Mahant Giri said he met Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday evening and presented him the detailed program of Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra for the year 2021.
Lt Governor has assured that the State Government shall make all the necessary arrangements for Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra, Mahant Giri said.
In the wake of cancellation of pilgrimage for the second consecutive year due to pandemic, the Chhari-Mubarak shall be symbolic but the age-old traditions will be performed.
As per the traditions, rituals namely ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ that mark the commencement of annual Chhari-Mubarak Yatra shall be performed at Pahalgam on auspicious occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ (Vyas- Purnima) that falls on July 24, 2021.
Chhari-Mubarak shall be taken to historic Shankracharya Temple on August 8 and Sharika Bhawani Temple on August 9 before rituals are performed for Chhari-Sthapana at Shri Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on August 11, 2021.
After performing Chhari-Pujan at Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ on August 13, he (Mahant Giri) with limited number of Sadhus shall carry the Holy Mace to Amarnath cave shrine, situated in Himalayas in South Kashmir at an altitude of 13500 feet to have ‘Darshan’ on ‘Shravan-Purnima’, August 22.
This is the Holy Cave wherein Lord Shiva manifested into Ice Lingam and on the request of Goddess Parvati recounted the secret story by listening to which one gets rid of cycle of life and death.
On Shravan Purnima, traditional Pujan shall be performed chanting Vedic Hymns, collective prayers shall also be offered before Swami Amarnath Ji to eradicate and to wipe out the nasty corona pandemic at the earliest. Prayers for the peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir shall also be offered, he said. (UNI)