Srinagar: ‘Chhari-Mubarak’, the saffron-robed holy mace of Lord Shiva, was taken to the historic Shankaracharya temple here for special prayers as part of the ongoing annual Amarnath Yatra.
The Chhari-Mubarak led by Mahant Deependra Giri was taken to historic Shankaracharya temple located at Gopadri hills for prayers on the occasion of Haryali-Amavasya (Shravan Amavasya) as per the age-old customs, Giri, the custodian of the mace, said in a statement.
He said the sound of conch shells charged the atmosphere and ‘pujan’ was performed chanting Vedic hymns.
Sadhus who accompanied the holy mace participated in the prayers that lasted for more than two hours. Collective prayers were also offered for peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir, Giri said.
The Chhari-Mubarak will be taken to Sharika-Bhawani’ temple, Hari Parbat, here to pay obeisance to the goddess on Friday, the statement said.
Rituals will be performed for Chhari-Sthapana at Shri Amareshwar temple Dashnami Akhara here on Sunday, after which Chhari-Pujan will be performed at Dashnami Akhara on the auspicious occasion of Nag-Panchami’ on August 2, it said.
Giri will carry the holy mace to the holy cave shrine to perform pujan and have darshan’ on morning of Shravan-Purnima’ on August 12 after having night halts at Pahalgam on August 7 and, Chandanwari on August 9, Sheshnag on August 10 and Panchtarani on August 11, the statement said.
PTI

Press Trust of India