Holy mace of Lord Shiva taken to Pahalgam on Sharavan mass day

Srinagar, July 11 (UNI) The silver mace of Lord Shiva was today taken from here to Pahalgam, the base camp of holy cave shrine of Amarnath, for Bhoomi and other pooja on the Sharavan mass day.

The mace was handed over to two sadhus by Mahant Deepender Giri, custodian of the mace, after performing pooja at Dashnami Akhara near here this morning.

Later, accompanied by Mahant Giri and other sadhus, the mace left for Pahalgam under unprecedented security arrangements.

Mahant Giri said Bhoomi pooja, Naggraha and holy Charri poojan will be performed at Pahalgam by sadhus and others.

This, he said, marks the auspicious start of the pilgrimage.

The Mahant said Charri poojan is being performed for the safety of the yatris undertaking pilgrimage of Amarnath cave. This, he said, is being done from ancient times and it has religious and historical importance.

He said the mace will be brought back here in the evening.

The pooja was a part of the two-month-long annual Amarnath pilgrimage which started on June 11 and will conclude on August 9, the Rakshabandhan day.

Mahant said the mace will be again taken to Pahalgam via Pampore, Awantipora, Martand Mattan and Ashmuqam on Nagpanchami day from Dahmani Akhara after performing pooja at Shankarachariya.

More than two lakh pilgrims from all over the country have so far visited the holy cave shrine from Baltal, shortest, and Pahalgam, the traditional routes.

About 27 pilgrims have so far lost their lives during the pilgrim age because of heart attack and other illness.

The Jammu and Kashmir government expected more than five lakh pilgrim to undertake the pilgrimage this year.

UNI BAS ASM VA RK1208