Chhari-Mubarak puja held at Pahalgam

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 5

“Bhoomi-Pujan”, “Navgrah-Pujan”, “Chhari-Pujan” and “Dhawajarohan” ceremonies were performed at Pahalgam in South Kashmir today on the auspicious occasion of “Ashad Purnima”.

The religious ceremonies were held after the Chhari-Mubarak (holy mace of Lord Shiva) was carried to Pahalgam that serves as the base for the traditional Amarnath yatra route. The custodian of the holy mace Mahant Deependra Giri said today’s ceremonies were part of important rituals prior to the main course of annual pilgrimage.

“The sound of a conch shell reverberated the atmosphere. Keeping in view the Covid pandemic only selected number of sadhus accompanied the Holy Mace from the Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, to Pahalgam,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mahant said, “it is an extraordinary situation and we need to take extraordinary measure to meet this challenge”.

“People of Jammu & Kashmir, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion have been cooperating, assisting and encouraging the pilgrims and sadhus who come here from across the country and even abroad for this annual pilgrimage”, he added.

Prayers were also offered at Martand Temple, Mattan in Anantnag district.

The mahant appealed to the intending pilgrims and public in general to strictly follow the regulations laid by the administration of J&K and the Centre in letter and spirit ‘to defeat the invisible enemy’ while referring to the Covid pandemic.