Srinagar, Aug 11 (KINS ): ‘Chhari-Sthapana’, a ritual associated with the annual pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, was performed at Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara Building in the summer capital, Srinagar, on Wednesday.
The ceremony was performed with chants of Vedic hymn at the temple by a group of Sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the holy silver Mace of Lord Shiva. The Puja lasted for about 2 hours.
Chhari-Mubarak (Holy Mace), one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati, shall be kept in the Temple at Akhara Building Srinagar for ‘Darshan’ till it leaves for the main course of pilgrimage on August 22.
Devotees, who strictly following COVID-19 protocols, shall have the privilege to have ‘Darshan’ of Holy Mace kept in Shri Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara Budshah Chowk Srinagar from 1000 hrs to 1100 hrs and 1800 hrs to 1900 hrs.
Traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ shall be performed on Friday on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ (Shravan Shukla Paksha Panchami) at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar. ‘The True Trust’, founded by Mahant Deependra Giri in year 2004, has made all the necessary arrangements like yester years for the main course of pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage was cancelled for the second consecutive year due to COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, it was cut short and the yatris were directed to leave J&K after the Centre abrogated Article 370 and divided the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs) on August 5. However, all age-old traditions associated with the yatra are being performed.
On Monday, the Holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva “ Chhari Mubarak” was taken to ancient Sharika Bhawani Temple at Hari Parvat in the downtown Srinagar as per age-old tradition associated with annual pilgrimage.
The holy mace later returned to Amreshwar temple, where ‘Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony was performed on Wednesday. Temple Akhara Building Budshah Chowk Srinagar and traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ shall be performed on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ that falls on August 13, 2021.
Chhari-Mubarak shall leave for Holy Shrine situated at an altitude of 13,500 feet in South Kashmir from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar for main course of pilgrimage on the auspicious occasion of ‘Shravan-Purnima’ (Raksha-Bandhan) falling on August 22 this year.
Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony performed at Amareshwar Temple in Srinagar
