Srinagar, Jul 29: The traditional Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva and the most revered symbol of the annual Amarnath Yatra, on Wednesday commenced its ceremonial pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine with the sacred mace being taken from the historic Dashnami Akhada at Maisuma here to Pahalgam for the first leg of the age-old rituals.
The procession was led by the custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, Mahant Deependra Giri. Sadhus and devotees accompanied the Mahant and chanted Vedic hymns amid religious fervour.
The saffron-robed silver mace of Lord Shiva was taken to the Gauri Shankar Temple in Pahalgam, where the traditional Bhoomi Pujan, Navgrah Pujan and Dhwajarohan rituals formally marked the beginning of the Chhari Mubarak pilgrimage in accordance with centuries-old traditions.
Mahant Giri said the holy mace would halt at the historic Martand Sun Temple in Mattan on its return journey to Srinagar later in the day for the customary holy bath before being taken back to its abode at the Dashnami Akhada.
The Chhari Mubarak will subsequently follow the traditional Amarnath Yatra route through Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni before reaching the holy cave shrine on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan), marking the ceremonial culmination of this year’s pilgrimage.
Devotees gathered at the Dashnami Akhada early in the morning to witness the departure of the sacred mace and offer prayers, while elaborate security arrangements were put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the procession.
Pertinently, the Chhari Mubarak procession is one of the oldest and most significant traditions associated with the Amarnath Yatra, symbolising the formal and spiritual culmination of the annual pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. (KNO)
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