Mahant Deependra Giri the custodian of Chhari Mubarak or Silver mace of the Lord Shiva led the several pujan to mark the commencement of annual pilgrimage of Swami Armanathji traditionally and religiously.



Chanting Vedic hymn, ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah-Pujan’, ‘Chhari-Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed at Pahalgam on Monday on the occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ that marks the commencement of annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji, traditionally and religiously.

Chhari-Mubarak of Swami Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Giri started from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar at 7 am for Pahalgam. Officials of the district administration received Chhari-Mubarak at Sangam and accompanied upto Pahalgam in south Kashmir.

The rituals, important, are performed prior to the main course of annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji with the sound of conch shell reverberating the whole atmosphere.

A sizable number of Sadhus, pilgrims and numerous Kashmiri pandits families from Martand were present on the occasion and participated in the Pujan. Hawan was also performed after Pujan and Langar was also served to all present and offered ‘Dakshina’.

Speaking on the occasion Mahant Giri, said, “This year’s pilgrimage brings greater significance as we have two ‘Shravan’ months, this year, and this extraordinary astronomical event has taken place after 19 years.”

Mahant Giri said, “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”.

When asked by a journalist to comment on the hardships faced by the locals in wake of traffic restrictions imposed by the Government during the pilgrimage, Mahant Giri said that it is good to take the precautionary measures but at the same time he suggested to devise a mechanism by which inconvenience caused to local population is minimized.

Mahant Deependra Giri ji expressed his satisfaction after performing these important rituals at Pahalgam and thanked the State Administration for making arrangements for the event.

The event was organized by ‘The True Trust’ founded by Mahant Deependra Giri ji in 2004.