Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 22
The Chhari Mubarak, the traditional holy mace associated with the Amarnath Yatra, reached Pahalgam on Saturday as the annual yatra entered its final stage.
Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the mace, led the procession from Srinagar, accompanied by sadhus and devotees.
The mace was taken to the Shiv Temple in Bijbehara and the Martand Tirth in Mattan, where prayers and traditional rituals were performed. It will remain at the Gourishankar temple in Pahalgam before moving to Chandanwari on August 24, Sheshnag on August 25, and Panchtarni on August 26-27.
The mace will reach the Amarnath cave on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, for traditional prayers and rituals.
It will return through Panchtarni, Sheshnag and Chandanwari before reaching Pahalgam on August 29.
The yatra will conclude on August 30 with prayers and the traditional Visarjan ceremony.
Anantnag Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat formally received Giri near Sangam. Police and civil administration officials were present.
Authorities have arranged security, traffic management, accommodation, sanitation, food, firewood, prayer materials and drinking water for the procession.
The pilgrimage was suspended on August 9 along both the Pahalgam and Baltal-Sonamarg routes after adverse weather damaged the tracks.
More than 4.80 lakh yatris have undertaken the yatra since it began on July 3.
