Chhari-Pujan performed with religious fervour and gaiety

Amidst vedic chants, the traditional Chhari-Pujan of the silver mace of Lord Shiva was performed at Dashnami Akhara here today with religious fervour and gaiety.
The Charri-Pujan was conducted under supervision of Mahant Dependra Giri, custodian of the holy mace. Chhari-Pujan is an age old tradition which is performed every year at Dashnami Angara temple on the day of Nag Panchhami.
Large numbers of Sadhus, locals, government officials and Amarnath pilgrims participated in the special prayers and had darshan of holy mace of Lord Shiva.
The journey of the holy mace of Lord Shiva will start from August 16 under the supervision of Mahant Dependra Giri along with hundreds of Sadhus from here towards the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas.

The Chhari Mubarak will be taken to Amarnath cave via Pahalgam and pass through various temples en-route where Pujan will be held at Shiv temples of Pampore, Bijbehara, Gotum Nag Anantnag, Martand Tirth Mattan and Ganeshbal and will stop for the night at Pahalgam.
The Chhari-Mubarak will leave from Pahalgam and make a night halt at Chandanwari on August 18 before proceeding towards Sheshnag, Panchtarni and will reach the holy cave on August 21, on the occasion of Sharavan Poornima (Rakshabandhan), the day when rituals of annual Amarnath pilgrimage culminate.
So far, 3.5 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan of the naturally-formed ice-lingam inside the 3,880 metre high cave shrine this year. The yatra began on June 28.