SRINAGAR, August 16: The revered Chhari Mubarak, a saffron-clad sacred mace symbolizing Lord Shiva, was transported to the historic Shankaracharya temple in a ceremonial procession, marking a significant moment within the ongoing annual Amarnath Yatra.
Under the guidance of Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the mace, the Chhari Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji was taken to the renowned Shankaracharya temple nestled atop Gopadri hills. This ritual held special significance on the occasion of ‘Haryali-Amavasya’ (Shravan Amavasya), in accordance with timeless customs.
Amidst the resonant echoes of conch shells, an aura of spirituality enveloped the temple as Vedic hymns filled the air during the ‘pujan’ (worship) ceremony. Accompanied by devoted sadhus, the holy mace was offered prayers, invoking collective blessings for the tranquility and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir, shared Giri.
The Mahant emphasized that these rituals encompassed special prayers for the well-being of the region’s populace. Subsequently, the Chhari Mubarak will be carried to the ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ temple, situated at Hari Parbat, to pay homage to the goddess on the upcoming Thursday.
Giri further detailed the forthcoming events, disclosing that Chhari-Sthapana rituals are slated to take place at Shri Amareshwar temple Dashnami Akhara on Saturday. Following this, Chhari-Pujan will be conducted at Dashnami Akhara on the auspicious ‘Nag-Panchami’ day on Monday.
With a definitive schedule in place, the Mahant will lead the holy mace to the revered cave shrine on the morning of ‘Shravan-Purnima’ on August 31. Preceding this, designated halts will be observed at Pahalgam on August 26, Chandanwari on August 28, Sheshnag on August 29, and Panchtarani on August 30.
The journey will culminate with a solemn puja at the holy cave shrine, followed by the symbolic immersion (‘visarjan’) of the mace in the Lidder river at Pahalgam on the subsequent day.
Reflecting on the Yatra’s progress, Giri expressed satisfaction with the smooth and incident-free proceedings. He acknowledged the enduring support of the people of Jammu and Kashmir towards the pilgrimage and voiced optimism for its continued growth. As he anticipated an increasing number of pilgrims, he also envisioned enhancements in the facilities provided.
Concluding on a note of hope, Giri revealed his intentions to pray at the holy cave shrine for the resurgence of peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, reminiscent of the state’s condition prior to 1989.
