Srinagar, 8 August (H.S.): Chhari Mubarak-the holy silver mace of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parwati has reached Sheshnag from Chandanwari this evening.

Led by its sole custodian, Mahant Deependra Giri Ji and Sadhus earlier Puja was performed at Chandanwari in a traditional way before starting its journey towards Sheshnag on way to Himalayan cave at a height of 3880m in South Kashmir district of Anantnag.

Chanting Bum Bum Bhole enroute the holy mace started its journey early in the morning. At Sheshnag where the holy mace will have a night stay before leaving for Panchtarni which is the last haltage camp on way to cave shrine also performed the evening Aarti (prayers) at the bank of Sheshnag Lake in a traditional way and prayed for the world peace and human prosperity.

The holy mace will leave from Sheshnag towards Panchtarni early tomorrow morning. With a night halt at Panchtarni it will reach the cave shrine in early morning of August 9 that coincides with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

At cave shrine Mahant Ji said the daylong Puja and other religious rituals will be held in a traditional way by the Sadhus and in the evening the holy mace will return to Panchtarni on way to Pahalgam.

Mahant Ji, while talking to devotees at Sheshnag threw light on the significance of Sheshnag lake, Chandanwari, Pahalgam and Panchtarni as per Bringeshwar Puran viz a viz holy Amarnath Ji annual yatra. He said performing pilgrimage via this track has highest religious significance.

He said performing darshan at holy cave on the occasion of Shravan Purnima is considered auspicious and from Puranic period the devotees used to visit holy cave on this day.

He also highlighted the religious significance of Shri Amarnath Ji where Lord Shiva had narrated Amarkatha to Goddess Parwati.

It may be recalled that the holy mace left its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar on August 4 for the final course of Yatra.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar