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Aarti 
     

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.

 
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.