Pahalgam: Chanting vedic hymn, ‘Bhoomi-Pujan’, ‘Navgrah-Pujan’, ‘Chhari-Pujan’ and ‘Dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed at Pahalgam on Saturday on the auspicious occasion of ‘Ashad-Purnima’ popularly known as ‘Guru-Purnima’ that mark the commencement of annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji, traditionally.
These are important rituals prior to main course of annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath Ji. The sound of conch shell reverberated the whole atmosphere. Keeping in view Covid-19 pandemic only selected number of Sadhus accompanied Holy Mace from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar to Pahalgam. Hawan was also organized.
Prayers were also offered at Historic Martand Temple, Mattan (Anantnag).
Mahant Deependra Giri, Head of Dashnami Akhara and custodian of Chhari Mubarak, appealed to public in general to strictly follow the regulations laid by the administration of Union Territory of J&K and Central Government in letter and spirit to defeat the invisible enemy, when asked by a journalist for his message to public keeping in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Addressing the gathering at Martand, he appealed to the devotees to have darshan of ‘Chhari-Mubarak’ from distance following the covid protocol. He said that threat of the covid-19 pandemic is not over yet and we all need to play the role of responsible citizens.
“Governments may raise any number of hospitals, medical oxygen plants and ICU beds, we can not defeat covid-19 till we adapt appropriate covid behaviour,’’ he said. There were traffic jams and no space left on roads a few days back citing the example of unprecedented rush on roads leading to Manali, Shimla, Mussoorie and Nanital. Country can not afford such irresponsible behaviour anymore. Hospitals do not prevent road accidents; only safe driving can, he added.
He expressed his satisfaction after performing these traditional rituals at Pahalgam and thanked the State Administration for making the arrangements for the event.
The event was organized by ‘The True Trust’ founded by Mahant Deependra Giri in year 2004.