INDIA, August 24, 2021 (Press Release): The annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji culminated on the 23rd of August 2021 at Pahalgam with its last rituals puja & Visarjan, which were performed at the bank of the river Lidder. A selected number of Sadhus accompanied the Holy Mace and participated in the puja. A number of members of the parliamentary delegation who are currently on a visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir also participated in the puja that included Shri Jagdambika Pal ji, Shri Sushil Modi ji and Shri Digvijay Singh ji. Addressing a small gathering after the culmination ceremony, Mahant Deependra Giri ji said that though our country is called a land of diversity, people belonging to almost every faith can be found in India wherein many religions coexist, but annual pilgrimage of Swami Amarnath ji is unique as people from all walks of life in Jammu and Kashmir belonging to different sects/religion contribute to make it successful.

Though the Government of Union Territory decided to call off this year’s pilgrimage too for the safety of pilgrims, all the rituals connected with Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji were performed with religious fervor and gaiety since 24th of July on the occasion of Ashad-Purnima when Bhoomi Pujan was performed at Pahalgam that marks the commencement of the annual pilgrimage religiously and traditionally. Chhari-Mubarak was taken to historic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar on the 8th of August on the occasion of Haryali Amawasaya and Sharika Bhawani Temple on the hillock of Hari Parvat on the 9th of August, respectively. Rituals connected with Chhari Sthapana were performed on the 11th of August and traditional Pujan was performed on the 13th of August on the occasion of Nag-Panchami in Shri Amareshwar Temple located inside Dashnami Akhara Srinagar. All these rituals were performed following covid appropriate behavior.

Press Release