Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 28
The 57-day annual Amarnath Yatra ended on Friday with the traditional Samapan Puja at the cave shrine, as more than 4.80 lakh devotees completed the yatra since it began on July 3.
The closing ceremony coincided with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of lord Shiva, was taken to the 12756-feet-high shrine for the concluding rituals.
It was placed inside the cave amid prayers and Vedic chanting, with Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the mace, leading the ceremonies.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha performed the Samapan Puja, formally marking the end of the annual yatra.
The yatra is rooted in the traditional belief that lord Shiva narrated the tale of immortality to goddess Parvati at the cave.
LG Sinha thanked security forces, locals, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) officials and volunteers for ensuring the pilgrimage was conducted peacefully.
More than 4.80 lakh yatris undertook the journey using the traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
The yatra was suspended on August 9 on both routes following adverse weather and damage to the tracks.
The shrine board said helicopter services remained suspended throughout this year’s pilgrimage.
The Chhari Mubarak will return to Panchtarni after Friday’s rituals and travel through Sheshnag and Chandanwari before reaching Pahalgam on August 29.
The annual yatra will formally conclude on August 30 with prayers followed by the traditional Visarjan ceremony in the Lidder River.
