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The
feature where the holy Pindis are located is presently
covered with a sheet of silver which has only three openings,
one each for Mata Maha Kali, Mata Maha Lakshmi Vaishno
and Mata Maha Saraswati.
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Before
commencing the ritual for adorning the holy Pindis the Pujaris
draw some symbols with sandalwood paste and write some mantras
on the sheet of silver. The following diagram will illustrates
this activity.
After the mantras have been written
and the symbols have been drawn on the sheet of silver, the process
of dressing up the holy Pindis and adoring them commences. A Chunni
is placed below the Pindis in a horizontal fashion. A sari is
similarly placed on top of it. Then a Chola is placed on the holy
Pindis which covers the area of the three Pindis leaving only
three gaps, one for each of the holy Pindis. Then three chunnies
are placed, one upon the other, along the area above the holy
Pindis, again in an horizontal fashion. After this one Chola is
folded and kept to the left of Mata Saraswati and one sari is
folded and kept the right of Mata Maha Kali. Thereafter, one garment
is spread on the upper side of the Pindis, horizontal to them
and another garment is folded and kept below the Pindi of Mata
Saraswati. During winters one shawl is also placed along the upper
side of the holy Pindis in an horizontal fashion.
 All
the garments that are used are red in colour. Among Hindus,
the red colour is considered auspicious and the bridal dress
of all the girls is red.The red clothes that the Pindis are
adorned in symbolise that Goddess Vaishno Devi is in her bridal
attire waiting for Vaishnu's arrival. Once the chunnis, Saris
and Cholas have been placed in position,Tilak of each Pindi
is performed with sandalwood paste. The first Tilak is performed
with yellow sandalwood paste and the second Tilak is performed
with red sandalwood paste. Thereafter, rice grains are placed
on each of the Pindis. Once the Tilak ceremony is over, a flower
is placed on each of the holy Pindis and the idols that have
been placed behind the holy Pindis.Thereafter, gold necklaces
are placed around each Pindi and gold "Chatters" are
placed slightly behind each Pindi. This is followed by placing
silver crowns behind each Pindi and finally one more gold chatter
is placed on the crown adorning the Pindi of Mata Vaishno Devi
Ji. Simultaneously, bangles, chuda (another kind of bangles)
worn by brides, Sindoor and other items used in make up by ladies
are also placed along the chunnis. Then Dhoop is burnt before
the Pindis. This is followed by worshipping the flame of the
lamp that remains lit in the cave and finally "Naived"
is offered to the holy Pindis. With this the process of adorning
the holy Pindis comes to an end and a curtain is drawn covering
the entire sanctum sanctorum. Immediately thereafter, Aarti
commences. First the local aarti, which is credited to Shridhar,
is chanted and a Deep Shikha is used while this is being chanted.
After
the shlokas of the local aarti are over the curtain covering
the area of the holy Pindis is removed and flower petals are
placed on the holy Pindis. Then the Pujaris sing the aarti in
Hindi and in Dogri. This is done to the accompainment of bells,
cymbals etc. A Deepshikha and a fly whisk are used during this
aarti. Thereafter, the Pujaris seek forgiveness for their sins
and shortcomings.
Once
this is over, the main Pujari, who is a decendant of Pandit
Shridhar,
provides Darshan to the people present in the Cave and distributes
Prasad among them. Then the idols behind the Pindis are covered
with a curtain so that they do not distract the attention of
the pilgrims who come to the sanctum sanctorum for Darshan.
Thereafter, the Deep Shikha and a Thaal (metal plate) containing
the various items used in performing the Puja are brought out
of the holy cave by the Pujaris and carried to the mouth of
the original tunnel. Puja is performed here too, first of Ganesh,
then the flame that remains lit round the clock and finally
of the holy cave. Then Jai Kaaras are chanted and the Pujaris
distribute Charanamrit amongst the waiting pilgrims. With this
the Aarti comes to an end and the holy cave is once again thrown
open to the pilgrims for Darshan.
All
the mantras chanted during Aarti along with their general explanation
have been given in the Annexure.
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