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The
two-hour long Aarti or Prayer is performed twice a day, first at sunrise
and again at sunset. The holy cave is closed to pilgrims at this time.
Only the Pujaris (priest), Sahayaks (attendants) and an officer is
permitted in the holy premises.
Prayer Proceedings:
The priests chants out loud the 108 names of Goddess Durga. Then they
perform Atam Puja for their own purification. This is followed by Tilak
(urging the gods to grant the priests health), chant of Pratigya
Sankalp (vow to worship the three deities), bathing of Ganesh, Surya
and Chandrama symbols. Then the holyPindies are bathed with water
and the five Amrits: Milk, Curd, Ghee, Honey and Sugar.
"Pashupatinath" is then given a bath with Panchamrit.
This is followed by a general cleaning of the area of the sanctum
sanctorum. Ganga water is poured over the holy Pindies. The priests chant
Devyapradh Kshamapan Stotram or the mantras seeking forgiveness
for their sins. Meanwhile the preparations for the adorning of the sacred
Pindies go on.
The garments used for adornment is red, the bridal colour of all Hindu
girls. This symbolizes that Goddess Vaishno devi is in her bridal atire
awaiting Vishnu's arrival. Once the Tilak ceremony is over the Pindies are
adorned with flowers, gold necklaces, silver crowns, bangles, sindoor. A
curtain is drawn covering the entire sanctum sanctorum.
Aarti begins which includes ad dedication to Sridhar, the brahmin
credited with having found the shrine. After the local Aart is over, the
priests sing hymns in Hindi and Dogri to the accompaniment of bells and
cymbals. The head Priest, a descendant of Sridhar, provides to Darshan to
devotees and distributes Prasad. Puja is also performed in the holy cave
which is once again thrown open to the pilgrims for Darshan.