Srinagar: The holy Chhari Mubarak, the sacred mace of Lord Shiva, on Saturday left the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar for Pahalgam after traditional prayers, marking the beginning of its annual journey to the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath.
Custodian Mahant Deependra Giri, according to details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Chhari Mubarak would reach Pahalgam today after symbolic prayers at traditional stopovers.
As per the schedule, the sacred mace will halt at Chandanwari on August 24 and Sheshnag on August 25, before staying at Panchtarni on August 26 and 27.
On August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, the Chhari Mubarak will be taken to the Holy Cave and installed amid traditional prayers and Vedic chanting.
The rituals commemorate the age-old tradition that Lord Shiva narrated the tale of immortality to Goddess Parvati at the Holy Cave.
Following the cave rituals, the Chhari Mubarak will return to Panchtarni and proceed via Sheshnag and Chandanwari to Pahalgam on August 29. The annual pilgrimage will conclude on August 30 with prayers and the traditional Visarjan ceremony.—(KNO)
