Final leg of Amarnath Yatra begins, Chhari Mubarak leaves Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 22: The annual journey of the holy Chhari Mubarak, the sacred mace of Lord Shiva, began from Srinagar on Saturday.
According to reports, the Chhari Mubarak left Dashnami Akhara Building for Pahalgam, marking the final and spiritually significant leg of the Amarnath Yatra.
The Chhari Mubarak was taken out after traditional prayers and rituals at the Dashnami Akhara, with devotees and followers participating in the ceremonies as the sacred mace embarked on its customary route towards the Holy Cave.
Custodian of Chhari Mubarak, Mahant Deependra Giri, said the sacred mace would reach Pahalgam on Saturday after symbolic prayers at traditional stopovers along the route.
The Chhari Mubarak will halt at Chandanwari on August 24 and Sheshnag on August 25 before proceeding towards Panchtarni, where it will stay on the nights of August 26 and 27.
On August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, the sacred mace will be taken to the Holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, nestled in Himalayas, and installed amid traditional prayers and Vedic chanting.
The rituals at the Holy Cave are associated with the age-old belief that Lord Shiva narrated the tale of immortality to Goddess Parvati at the sacred site. Following the prayers and rituals at the cave, the Chhari Mubarak will return to Panchtarni on August 28 for the night halt. On August 29, it will proceed back via Sheshnag and Chandanwari to Pahalgam.
The traditional journey will conclude on August 30 with prayers and the Visarjan ceremony of the Chhari Mubarak at Pahalgam, bringing the annual sacred pilgrimage to an end.
Pertinently, the Chhari Mubarak procession is a centuries-old tradition and remains an important part of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, with the sacred mace being carried to the holy cave shrine through the traditional route and religious ceremonies performed along the way. (KNO)