The sacred rituals preceding the annual Chhari Mubarak pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave Shrine will get underway from 12 August, with Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace embarking on its traditional spiritual journey through prominent temples in Srinagar before reaching the holy Amarnath cave on 28 August, coinciding with Shravan Purnima.
As per the schedule announced on Thursday by Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari Mubarak (Holy Mace), the Chhari Mubarak will be taken to the historic Shankaracharya Temple on 12 August, followed by Sharika Bhawani Temple on 13 August. It will then be ceremonially installed at Shri Amareshwar Temple, Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, on 15 August, before the traditional pilgrimage proceeds through the prescribed route to the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, where it will reach on 28 August on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Purnima.
Issuing the annual pilgrimage schedule for the information of sadhus and devotees, the Mahant said the centuries-old religious rituals marking the formal commencement of the pilgrimage would begin at Pahalgam on July 29, coinciding with Ashad Purnima (Vyas Purnima). The traditional ceremonies of Bhoomi Pujan, Navgrah Pujan and Dhawajarohan will be performed as per age-old customs.
The traditional Chhari Pujan will be performed at Dashnami Akhara on August 17, which coincides with the auspicious festival of Nag Panchami.
The main pilgrimage carrying the Holy Mace to the cave shrine will commence from Srinagar on August 22 under the leadership of Mahant Deependra Giri Ji. The yatra will halt at Pahalgam on August 22 and 23, Chandanwari on August 24, Sheshnag on August 25 and Panchtarani on August 26 and 27 before reaching the Holy Cave Shrine on August 28, where the traditional prayers and darshan will be performed on Shravan Purnima.
The Mahant has also written to the Jammu and Kashmir Government, urging it to make all necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, preserve its age-old traditions and ensure adequate safety and security for the sadhus and pilgrims accompanying the Holy Mace.
He advised all sadhus and devotees intending to join the Chhari Mubarak procession to complete the mandatory registration process, stating that only registered pilgrims possessing valid Yatra permits would be permitted to accompany the Holy Mace during the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, the Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara Trust, Srinagar, has made arrangements for accommodation and food for sadhus arriving from different parts of the country at the Akhara building at Budshah Chowk, Srinagar, during the annual pilgrimage.