'Chhari Mubarak' to be taken to Pahalgam on Sunday

The saffron-robed holy mace of Lord Shiva popularly known as 'Chhari Mubarak' will be taken from its abode here to Pahalgam on July 9 for special prayers, marking the commencement of the Amarnath Yatra.
As per the age-old tradition, rituals namely Bhoomi- Pujan, Navgrah Pujan and Dhawajarohan, connected with commencement of annual Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnathji Yatra, shall be performed at Pahalgam on auspicious occasion of Ashad-Purnima (Vyas-Purnima) that falls on Sunday, July 9, this year, its custodian Mahant Deependra Giri said in a statement here.
He said after performing the rituals, Chhari-Mubarak will return to Dashnami Akhara the same day.

"Pujan will also be performed at the historic Martand Temple, Mattan in Anantnag district en route," he said.
Giri said the holy mace will be taken to the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine for darshan on 'Shravan-Purnima' which falls on August 7, the day the official pilgrimage ends.
Before joining the yatra, he said Chhari Mubarak would be taken to various temples in the city and will be offered special prayers beginning July 23.

On July 23, Chhari Mubarak would be taken to Shankaracharya temple on a hillock overlooking the city and will return to its abode the same day, he said, adding it would be taken to Sharika Bhawani Temple at Hariparvat in downtown Srinagar the next day.

'Chhari-Sthapana' and 'Dhwajarohan' ceremonies would be performed at Dashnami Akhara on July 26 followed by traditional Chhari-Pujan on Nagpanchami the next day, Giri said.
Chhari-Mubarak shall commence its journey to the holy shrine of Swami Amarnath Ji for main course of the annual pilgrimage on August 2 and en route to Pahalgam, special prayers will be performed at Durga-Nag Temple and Sureshwar Temple here, Shiv Temple Pampore, Shiv Temple Bijbehara, Martand-Tirth Mattan, Ganesh Temple across river Lidder, Ganeshbal and Gouri-Shankar Temple in Pahalgam, the custodian of the holy mace said.
After night halt at Pahalgam, special prayers would be offered at Pahalgam on August 3 before the start of the onward journey to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas same day, Giri said.

After leaving Pahalgam, he said the Chhari Mubarak will be taken to Chandanwari for the second night halt on Dwadashi.
It will be taken to Sheshnag on Tryodashi (August 5) and would leave for Panchtarani on Chaturdashi the next day.
On August 7, the Chhari Mubarak would proceed for holy cave for Puja from Panchatarani on the occasion of Raksha- Bandhan and Sharavan Purnima.
Traditional rituals would be performed for the whole day at the cave, he said, adding before dusk, the holy mace would leave for night halt at Panchtarani.
On August 8, the holy mace will be taken to Pahalgam for night halt, Giri said, adding 'Pujan' and 'Visarjan' ceremonies would be performed on the banks of river Lidder the next day.

Traditional 'Kari Pakouri Bhandara', which is the last ritual in connection with the pilgrimage, would be organised for sadhus at Pahalgam, marking the end of the religious yatra, he said.
Giri, in a communication to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has urged the state government to make all the necessary arrangements and take the appropriate preventive measures for the safety and security of the sadhus and pilgrims accompanying the holy mace.
He said Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara Trust has made all the arrangements like yesteryears for sadhus coming from across the country for the annual pilgrimage for their food and comfortable stay at Akhara Building in Budshah Chowk area of the city.