Mahant concerned over spurt in violence in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 12 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over the recent escalation of violence in the Valley, Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of holy mace of Lord Shiva, has sent a communication to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad urging him to ensure safety of Amarnath devotees during the pilgrimage.

In a statement here, the Mahant of Amarnath Charri-Mubarak said he had sent a communication sent to the Chief Minister and expressed serious concern over the militancy-related incidents in the Valley in the recent past.

The Mahant has sought Mr Azad's personal intervention to ensure the safety and security of hundreds and thousands of devotees during the two-month-long Amarnath pilgrimage and the holy mace as well.

This is for the first time since the outbreak of militancy in Kashmir in late 1980s that the spiritual leader of the Amarnath pilgrimage has expressed serious concern over the spurt in violence in the Valley.

However, he had written to the Jammu and Kashmir Governor and the Chief Minister seeking safety and security of the pilgrims in the past as well.

The Mahant also announced the programme for this year's yatra.

He said the rituals pertaining to the 'Chhari-Mubarak' and the pilgrimage would commence with 'Bhoomi-Pujan' and 'Dhawajarohan' ceremonies at Pahalgam on 'Vyas-Purnima', which falls on July 11 this year.

After performing the 'Chhari-Pujan' at Dashnami Akhara here on 'Nag-Panchami' on July 30, the Mahant would lead the pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath to have a 'Darshan (glimpse)' on 'Raksha-Bandhan' on August 9.

The Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara Trust, Srinagar has made all the arrangements, including food and lodging, for 'sants' coming from across the country for the an nual Amarnath pilgrimage, the statement said.

The 'sadhus' would be lodged at the Akhara Building, Budshah Chowk, here.

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