The upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 1, has great significance this year as there will be two ‘Shravan’ months, an extraordinary astronomical event that occurs only once in 19 years, according to caretaker of the holy mace of Lord Shiva or the Chhari Mubarak, Mahant Deependra Giri. The month of ‘Shravan’, also known as ‘Sravana’ or ‘Sawan’, starts on July 4 and will continue until August 31, lasting 59 days in total.
This unique astronomical event will result in eight ‘Sawan’ Mondays or ‘Somwars’ instead of the usual four every year. The Chhari Mubarak will be taken to the Amarnath Cave Shrine by devotees and priests, where special rituals will be performed.
This year’s pilgrimage holds particular significance for devotees of Lord Shiva, as the occurrence of two ‘Shravan’ months is considered a rare and auspicious time to embark on the yatra. The Amarnath Yatra is a significant annual pilgrimage in Hinduism, where thousands of devotees make a journey to the Amarnath Cave, located in the Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir, to pay their respects to Lord Shiva.
The Chhari Mubarak, a holy mace symbolizing Lord Shiva’s blessings, is taken from Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar and then carried on foot to the Amarnath Shrine. Along the way, various rituals are performed to seek blessings and protection for the pilgrims. The Chhari Mubarak reaches the Amarnath Cave on the final day of the yatra, where it stays until the next year’s pilgrimage.
The Amarnath Yatra has significant religious and cultural importance in India, and this year’s yatra holds even more significance due to the rare occurrence of two ‘Shravan’ months. Devotees are expected to take strict precautions to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines issued by the government.
The pilgrimage is well-regulated, and the authorities have taken all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the devotees. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the yatra has been allowed, with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
This year’s pilgrimage presents an excellent opportunity for devotees to embark on the yatra and seek blessings from Lord Shiva during this rare and auspicious occurrence of two ‘Shravan’ months.
