STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: The Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Swami Amarnathji, was taken to historic Shankaracharya temple here for prayers on the occasion of ‘Haryali Amavasya’ on Sunday.
“In connection with Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra-2024, Chhari Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Deependra Giri ji was taken to historic Shankaracharya temple, Srinagar, located at the Gopadri Hills today for prayers on the occasion of ‘Haryali-Amavasya’ (Shravan Amavasya) as per the age-old customs,” a statement issued by the Dashnami Akhara, the permanent abode of the Chhari Mubarak, said. Amidst the sound of conch shell and recitation of Vedic hymns, sadhus accompanied the holy mace and participated in the prayers that lasted for more than two hours.
“Collective prayers were also offered for peace and prosperity of Jammu & Kashmir,” it said.
The Shankaracharya temple is located atop the Zabarwan hill range near the Dalgate area and overlooks the city. Some historians are of the opinion that the temple at the top was originally built by King Sandiman (2629-2564 BC).
This temple was earlier known as Jyeshteshwara or Jyoteshwara temple. It came to be known as Shankaracharya temple after Adi Shankracharya visited it.
The Chhari Mubarak shall be taken to the ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ temple, Hari Parvat, in the Old Srinagar to pay obeisance to the goddess on Monday.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of over 1,100 pilgrims left a base camp here early this morning for the Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
Over 4.9 lakh pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine since the commencement of the annual yatra on June 29. Last year, a total of 4.5 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine.
The 38th batch of 1,112 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp at 3.25 am in a convoy of 40 vehicles escorted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police, the officials said. The 52-day-long pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 19.
