Poonch, Aug 07: The Annual Chari Mubarak Yatra to Shri Budha Amarnath Ji Shrine commenced on Thursday with great spiritual fervour. The pilgrimage was led by Acharya Shri Shri 1008 Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishavatmanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj, who travelled from the historic Dashnami Akhara Mandir in Poonch to the shrine at Rajpura, Mandi.The Yatra began with a special Puja and Havan at the Akhara Mandir, attended by Swami Ji, religious leaders, and dignitaries. Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Ashok Kumar Sharma, also visited the Shri Budha Amarnath Mandir, performed a sacred Puja, and extended greetings to the people of Poonch.Swami Vishavatmanand Ji addressed a large congregation of devotees from diverse religious backgrounds, reaffirming the region’s strong spirit of communal harmony and brotherhood.Prominent attendees included MLA Haveli Ajaz Jan, SSP Poonch Shafket Hussain Batt, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik, DDC Member Choudhary Abdul Gani, CMO Poonch Parvaiz Ahmed Khan, BJP State President Ravinder Raina, President of Dashnami Akhara Basant Ram, President SDS Khetarpal, and several other community leaders.The Shri Budha Amarnath Shrine, nestled in the Himalayas, is believed to be the site of penance performed by Rishi Pulatsya, the grandfather of King Ravana. The Pulast River, flowing from Loran-Mandi in the Pir Panjal range to Poonch, is named after him, adding to the spiritual significance of the area.Throughout the route, community groups and residents set up langars to serve devotees, exemplifying unity and service. The Chari Mubarak will remain at the shrine for two days before returning ceremoniously after Raksha Bandhan.Devotees from across India participated in the Yatra, expressing appreciation for the peaceful arrangements made by the administration and police, ensuring a smooth and harmonious pilgrimage.
