Nearly 200,000 devotees have paid obeisance and had darshan of the Shivling at Amarnath during the first nine days of the annual yatra. Also, rush of pilgrims is increasing by the day, said the officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB)
Meanwhile, Bhoomi-Pujan, Navgrah-Pujan, Chhari-Pujan and Dhawajarohan ceremonies were performed with saffron-clad hermits (sadhus) and other devotees chanting religious slogans and vedic mantras on the occasion of Vyas-Purnima at Pahalgam, 96 km southeast of here, The ritual, Mahant Dependra Giri, the custodian of Lord Shiva’s mace, said as part of the centuries old tradition marks the commencement of annual pilgrimage although the devotes relocating to the cave shrine in Kashmir Himalayas to pay obeisance and have darshan of Shivling had started on June 25. The 39-day-long yatra is scheduled to end on August 2, coinciding with Raksha bandhan.
“These are important rituals prior to main course of annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji. The sound of conch shell reverberated the whole atmosphere,” the mahant said, adding that collective prayers were offered for lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir by the participants, including a large number of sadhus. He also said that the special prayers were offered also at historic Martand temple in Mattan area along Anantnag-Pahalgam road.
The Mahant asserted, “I’m quite happy and satisfied that the people of all faiths and irrespective of their ethnic and cultural background are cooperating and helping in the smooth conduct of the yatra. They have been assisting and encouraging the pilgrims particularly sadhus who arrive here from across the country and abroad for the pilgrimage.” He strongly pleaded that the pilgrimage should be arranged and undertaken taking this fact into consideration and the pilgrims “must follow the traditions described in our scriptures in letter and spirit.”
A SASB spokesperson said that Jammu and Kashmir governor N.N. Vohra, who is also chairman of the board, undertook a day-long tour of all the yatra camps on Tuesday to have on-the-spot assessment of the situation and ensure all required facilities are available to the pilgrims. He was accompanied by SASB CEO Navin K. Choudhary and was joined at review meetings by the officials of various senior state government agencies and department and security forces.
“At each camp while reviewing the arrangements, he again asked camp directors and their staff to ensure effective sanitation and cleanliness, and particularly asked those running the langars to ensure hygiene and cleanliness in and around their premises,” the spokesperson said. End it