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Hindus bound for Amaranth cave perform Chadi Pooja

     Srinagar: Hindu pilgrims on Wednesday held 'Chadi Pooja' in Srinagar to launch the formal annual Amarnath pilgrimage. Mahant Deependra Giri, the head priest of the Amarnath shrine, performed the rituals amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and also led the holy mace (Chari mubarak) for onward journey to Amarnath cave shrine. The annual pilgrimage that started in June will come to an end on the full moon day in the first week of August, when the main rituals will be held inside the cave shrine 3880 metres above the sea level in the Himalayas. Meanwhile, a helicopter service was also launched on the traditional Pahalgam route leading to the Amarnath cave shrine. "I feel that it's a very good step in the right direction. I think the helicopter arrangement is for the people incapable of climbing to such heights but still want to seek the god's blessings," said Mahant Giri.
-July 22, 2009

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