In twilight of their lives, sex workers are honoured, worshipped as Durgas
They were like Neelkanth (Lord Shiva consumed poison and became blue throated to save the universe), bearing the poison of society for years, and now they have grown old.
Before leaving for the Holy Cave Shrine of Amarnath on 7 August, the holy mace (Chhari Mubarak) of Lord Shiva was worshipped, on Friday, by Mahant Deependra Giri at Srinagar’s ancient ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple at Hari Parvat. As per the age old tradition, the Chhari Mubarak is taken to the temple in the old city for prayers.
A sizable number of Sadhus and devotees participated in the prayers that lasted for about 90 minutes. Goddess ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ popularly known as ‘Tripursundari’, amongst the mystics, is believed to be ‘Isht Devi’ (presiding deity) of the Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of ‘Shila’ (Holy Rock) at Hari Parvat.
Chhari-Sthapana’ ceremony shall be performed on Sunday the 31st of July at Shri Amareshwar Temple Akhara Building Budshah Chowk Srinagar and traditional ‘Chhari-Pujan’ shall be performed on the occasion of ‘Nag-Panchami’ that falls on Tuesday, the 2 August.
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Chhari-Mubarak shall leave on 7 August for Holy Shrine of Swami Amarnath situated at an altitude of 13500 feet in South Kashmir from Dashnami Akhara Srinagar for main course of pilgrimage. The traditional pujan and rituals shall be performed on the auspicious occasion of ‘Shravan-Purnima’ on 12 August.
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