'Chhari Mubarak', the holy mace of Lord Shiva, will be carried to the cave shrine of Amarnath on July 22 through the traditional Pahalgam route.
"Chhari Mubarak will leave for Pahalgam from Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar on July 22. 'Bhoomi Pujan' and 'Dhwajarohan' (flag hoisting) ceremonies will be performed at the resting place of Chhari Mubarak in Pahalgam. After performing the rituals, Chhari Mubarak will return to Dashnami Akhara on the same day," Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the holy mace, said in a statement.
After performing Chhari-Pujan at Dashnami Akhara here on 'Nag-Panchami' on August 11, Giri will carry the mace to the Amarnath shrine on Shravan-Purnima on August 21.
The 'holy mace' will begin its journey from Srinagar to the Amarnath cave shrine on August 16 with night halts at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarani.
It will proceed for the holy cave for Pujan from Panchtarani at 4 am on August 21 'Shravan-Purnima' to have the 'Darshan' and traditional rituals will be performed and prayers will be offered the whole day at the holy cave.
"On August 23, after the 'puja' and 'visarjan' (culminating) ceremonies at the bank of Lidder river in Pahalgam, 'Chhari Mubarak' will return to Srinagar", Giri said.
Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara Trust, Srinagar has made arrangements for Sadhus coming from across the country for the annual pilgrimage, he added.
