Srinagar, 4 August (H.S.): The Chharri Mubarak (holy mace), one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parwati will leave for Shri Amarnath Ji shrine from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar early tomorrow morning.

Led by its sole custodian, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji and Sadhus the holy mace will pay obeisance at various temples and shrines enroute from Srinagar to Pahalgam.

Mahant Deependra Giri Ji said that holy mace will reach Pahalgam tomorrow evening where it will have a two night halt i.e on August 4 and August 5. On August 6 it will leave for Chandanwari. Next day i.e on August 7 it will leave for Sheshnag. With a night halt at Sheshnag holy mace will leave for Panchtarni early in the morning of August 8. After a night halt at Panchtarni the last camp to holy cave on Nunwan -Pahalgam track, the holy mace will leave for darshan of cave shrine in the wee hours of August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals, he added.

Mahant Ji said after a daylong Puja at cave shrine in a traditional way the holy mace will return for Panchtarni in the evening for night halt on its way back to Pahalgam. With this the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji 2025 will culminate, he added.

He said the Chharri Sthapana was performed at Dashnami Akhara on July 27 while Chharri Pujan was held in a traditional manner on July 29. The holy mace was kept for darshan of devotees since July 29 to August 4 before it starts its final course of yatra. This has been an age old tradition which is practiced every year, he added.

Mahant Ji however showed his dismay over the abrupt decision of the suspension of yatra saying it has disappointed numerous pilgrims who intended to have darshan on Shravan Purnima which has the religious significance as per Hindu scriptures.

He said the annual pilgrimage of Chharri Mubarak of Swami Amarnath Ji will proceed as per the schedule.

It may be recalled that the authorities have abruptly suspended the yatra from twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan –Pahalgam on August 3 due to bad weather conditions and damage caused to tacks after heavy rains which lashed Kashmir Valley during last week.

The 38 day long yatra which had started on July 3 from twin tracks was to culminate on August 9. A total of 4.14 lakh pilgrims visited holy cave this year during last 31 days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar