STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: On the auspicious occasion of Shravan Shukla Panchami, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Friday performed the Pujan of Shri Amarnathji Chhari Mubarak in presence of Deependra Giri, Mahant Chhari Mubarak Shri Amarnathji, at Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhada, Srinagar.
The Lt Governor sought the blessings of Lord Shiva and prayed for the peace, progress, and well-being of all.
The Chhari-Pujan is an auspicious ritual prior to the culmination of the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnathji Shrine.
The holy Mace will be taken to the Shri Amarnathji cave following the traditional practice of Chhari Mubarak Yatra. Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board; Vidhi Kumar Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and other senior officers also participated in the Chhari-Pujan.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of over 390 pilgrims left for the Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas this morning from Jammu, officials said.
The 42nd batch of 398 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp at 3.26 am in a convoy of 14 vehicles escorted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police, they said. All the pilgrims have opted for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
Over five lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the shrine so far this year. The yatra commenced on June 29 and is scheduled to conclude on August 19.
