Special prayers at Pahalgam mark beginning of Amarnath Yatra

Amid chanting of vedic hymns, special prayers were today offered at Pahalgam, traditional base camp for the annual Amarnath pilgriamge, marking the commencement of the religious yatra.
The saffron-robed holy mace of Lord Shiva popularly known as 'Chhari Mubarak', carried by custodian Mahant Deependra Giri, was taken from its abode at Dashnami Akhara here to Pahalgam on Vyas-Purnima which marks the commencement of annual pilgrimage traditionally, a spokesman of 'True Trust' said.
As many as 1,82,768 yatris have paid obeisance at the 3,880 ft cave shrine till last night.
Bhoomi-Pujan, Navgrah-Pujan, Chhari-Pujan and Dhawajarohan ceremonies were performed on the occasion.

The Trust, founded by Mahant Giri in 2004, said these are important rituals prior to main course of annual pilgrimage.
"The sound of conch shell reverberated through the whole atmosphere," the spokesman said, adding that sizable number of sadhus and pilgrims were present on the occasion and also participated in the 'pujan'.

The holy mace will return to its abode in Srinagar later in the day and will join the pilgrimage on August 13 after special prayers at various temples in the next couple of weeks, he said.
Giri also reiterated his demand for restricting the pilgrimage to the tradition guided by scriptures.

"Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra is a pilgrimage and it should be arranged and undertaken in that perspective only and pilgrims should follow the tradition in our scriptures," Giri said.
The annual pilgrimage, being conducted by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) headed by the Governor, commenced on July 2 from the twin routes - shortest 12 km Baltal route in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir and traditional 42 km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district in south Kashmir.
Giri said people of Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of their caste, creed or religion have been cooperating and encouraging the pilgrims and sadhus who come here from across the country and abroad for the annual pilgrimage.

In wake of the prevailing law-and-order situation, the Chhari was not taken to Martand Tirth temple at Mattan en route to Pahalgam this morning.
"We regret not being allowed to visit Martand Tirth, Mattan," Giri said.
Expressing concern over the unrest which left more than 40 people dead in the violence-hit Valley, Giri asked for a mechanism to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
"All the quarters concerned need to put their heads together to devise a mechanism to ensure that there is no recurrence of such mishaps in future," he said.