Amarnath Yatra: Sacred MecE of Lord Shiva Taken to Shankarachaarya Temple for Haryali Amavasya Rituals

The revered Chhari Mubarak, the saffron-draped holy mace of Lord Shiva, was ceremoniously taken to the historic Shankaracharya Temple on Gopadri Hills in Srinagar to mark Haryali Amavasya, in keeping with centuries-old customs associated with the Amarnath Yatra.Led by Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the sacred mace, the procession commenced from its traditional base at Dashnami Akhara near Lal Chowk. “The Chhari Mubarak was taken from its abode at Dashnami Akhara near Lal Chowk here to the temple where a ‘pujan’ was held,” said Giri.The temple premises resonated with the sound of conch shells and the chanting of Vedic hymns, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere. Ascetics accompanying the holy mace offered collective prayers for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. Giri added that the Chhari Mubarak would be taken to the Sharika Bhawani Temple at Hari Parbat for further rituals.
Also read | What is Hariyali Teej? Significance, rituals and mythological storyAs per the ritual calendar, Chhari-Sthapana is scheduled for Sunday at the Shri Amareshwar Temple in Dashnami Akhara, followed by Chhari-Pujan on Tuesday, which coincides with Nag Panchami. The religious ceremonies serve as spiritual preparations ahead of the journey to the Amarnath cave shrine.On Shravan Purnima, August 9, Mahant Giri will lead the final leg of the pilgrimage, carrying the Chhari Mubarak to the cave shrine located at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas. The journey will include traditional night halts at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarani. After the ceremonial puja at the cave, the concluding visarjan of the holy mace will take place in the Lidder River at Pahalgam on 10 August.Also read | 10 iconic temples that are a must-visit on your spiritual trip of South IndiaMeanwhile, a fresh batch of 2,324 pilgrims, including 377 women and 51 ascetics, departed from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp in the early hours of Saturday for the twin base camps in Kashmir. The group, escorted by police and CRPF personnel, left between 3.25 am and 3.45 am in 92 vehicles.Of these, 741 pilgrims set off for the Baltal route in Ganderbal district, while 1,583 pilgrims headed via the traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag.(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)

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