Bam Bam Bholay reverbrates in air as Chhari-Mubarak leaves for holy cave

Srinagar, Aug 2 :  “Bam Bam Bholay and Har Har Mahadev” reverberated in air when the Chhari Mubarak, holy Mace of Lord Shiva, was taken out from the Amreshwar temple near here for the main course of annual pilgrimage to Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where so far over 2.56 lakh yatries had paid obeisance since the commencement of the 40-day-long yatra from June 29. Mahant Deependra Giri, carrying Chhari Mubarak, came out from the Amreshwar temple Deshnami Akahra at Budshah Chowk near here amidst chanting of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Bam Bam Bholay'. 'We will pray for peace and prosperity of the state,' Mahant Deependra Giri said before leaving for Pahalgam. About attack on yatris on July 10 on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Anantnag that left eight pilgrims dead and about 20 others injured, Mahant Giri said it was against the 'Kashmiriyat'. He said before the eruption of militancy in early 90s, the Chhari Mubarak was taken out in a procession from Dashnami Akhara shortly after sunset for a night halt at Durga Nag temple in Srinagar. Now the Chhari Mubarak is leaving in the morning to reach Pahalgam on same day in a vehicle with halts at some places on way. Despite tense situation in south Kashmir following strike called by separatists against the death of a youth and injuries to several others in security force firing yesterday at Pulwama, the Chhari left at 0815 hrs in a vehicle under very tight security arrangements. Mahant Giri, custodian of Holy Mace, said pujan will be held on “Ekadashi “ at Pahalgam tomorrow before leaving for next halting station on traditional yatra track. He said on the way to Pahalgam, Pujan will be performed today at Shri Durga-Nag Temple, Shri Sureshwar Temple Srinagar (Behind Hotel Shangrilla), Shiv Temple Pampore, Shiv Temple Bijbehara, ‘Martand-Tirth’ Mattan, Ganesh Temple across river Lidder, Ganeshbal and Gouri-Shankar Temple, Pahalgam. Mahant Giri said tomorrow “ Ekadashi”, devotees will join Pujan and night halt at Pahalgam before leaving in the afternoon at 1400 hrs for Chandanwari on “ Dwadashi” August 4. After night halt at Chandanwari, the chhari will leave for Sheshnag at 0700 hrs for a night halt there on August 5 on “ tryodashi”, he said On “ Chaturdashi” on August 6, Chhari will leave from Sheshnag from 0700 hrs for a night halt at Panjtarni. He said on ‘ Raksha Bandhan” on August 7 “ Sharavan Purnima” Chhari Mubarak will proceed for holy Cave for Punjan at 0700 hrs from Panjtarni. Traditional rituals shall be performed & prayers shall be offered the whole day at holy cave. However, before dusk, Chhari-Mubarak shall leave for night halt at Panjtarni, he said, adding that from there, chhari will leave for night halt at Pahalgam at 0700 hrs on August 8. On August 9 ‘Dvitiya Pujan’ & ‘Visarjan’ ceremonies shall be performed at 0915 hrs on the bank of river Lidder at Pahalgam. 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 Ameshwar temple Desknami Akahtar at Srinagar. UNI