Main course of pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine to commence tomorrow

Srinagar, Aug 1: The main course of pilgrimage to Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas will commence tomorrow when the 'Chhari Mubarak', holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva will leave Rameshwar temple at Dashmani Akhara near here for Pahalgam, where pujan will be held on 'Ekadashi' on Thursday before leaving for next halting station on traditional yatra track.
       According to Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of Chhari Mubarak, the holy Mace will commence its journey to cave shrine for the main course of pilgrimage from Dashnami Akhara at 0800 hrs tomorrow.
      However, before the eruption of militancy in early 90s the Chhari Mubarak was taken in a procession from Dashnami Akhara shortly after sunset for a night halt at Durga Nag temple in Srinagar. Now the Chhari Mubarak is taken to Pahalgam on same day in a vehicle with halts at some places on way.
      He said n the way to Pahalgam tomorrow, Pujan shall be performed 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 on August 3 “ 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 onAugust 5 on “ tryodashi”, he said
       On “ Chaturdashi” on August 6, Chhari will leave from Sheshnag from 0700 hrs for a night halt at Panchtarni.
      He said on ‘Raksha Bandhan'  on August 7 'Sharavan Purnima' Chhari Mubarak will proceed for holy Cave for Punjan at 0700 hrs from Panchtarni.  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 Panchtarani, he said adding from there charri 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 Rameshwar temple Desknami Akahtar at Srinagar. UNI