Sadhus today offered special prayers to 'Chhari Mubarak' - the saffron-robed mace of Lord Shiva - at Amareshwar Temple here, marking the start of the concluding phase of the annual pilgrimage to Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.
Led by Mahant Deepindra Giri, the custodian of the mace, the group of Sadhus performed 'Chhari-Sthapana' ceremony amid chanting of Vedic hymn at Amareshwar Temple in Budshah Chowk in the heart of Srinagar this morning, officials of Dashnami Akhara Trust said.
"Chhari-Mubarak, one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati, will be kept in the temple for 'Darshan' till commencement of main course of pilgrimage on August 25," the officials said.
Special prayers were offered to the 'Chhari Mubarak' at Shankaracharya Temple and Sharika Bhawani temple here last week.
The traditional 'Chhari-Pujan' would be performed at the temple on August 19 on the occasion of 'Nag-Panchami' before the main course of the pilgrimage in which the holy mace would be taken to the cave shrine through the traditional 45-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district, they said.
Accompanied by sadhus, Mahant Giri along with the holy mace will join the annual pilgrimage on Tuesday, the officials said, adding 'Chhari Mubarak' will be offered special prayers at various temples en route base camp at Pahalgam.
The holy mace would reach Amarnath on August 29 where special prayers would be organised on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, marking the end of the 59-day annual yatra.
The annual pilgrimage officially started on July 2 and so far over 3.47 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine.
