The holy mace of Lord Shiva, popularly known as 'Chhari Mubarak', will be taken from its abode here to Pahalgam for special prayers on Tuesday, a tradition marking the formal start of the Amarnath Yatra.
The Yatra had commenced on July 2 and so far nearly 1.70 lakh pilgrims paid their obeisance at the cave shrine which houses the naturally-formed ice-shivlingam.
However, "as per age-old tradition, rituals namely Bhoomi Pujan, Navgrah Pujan and Dhawajarohan connected with the commencement of the annual Chhari Mubarak Swami Amarnathji Yatra shall be performed at Pahalgam on auspicious occasion of Ashad-Purnima (Vyas-Purnima) that falls on July 19 this year," custodian of the Chhari Mahant Deependra Giri said.
Giri has been at loggerheads with Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) headed by Governor N N Vohra, which conducts the yatra, on the issue of duration of the pilgrimage and wants it to follow the traditional schedule.
Giri said in a statement here that 'Chhari Mubarak' will leave its abode at Dashnami Akhara on July 19 for Pahalgam where Bhoomi Pujan and Dhwajarohan ceremonies will be performed to mark the commencement of the yatra.
He said it will return to Dashnami Akhara the same day before 'pujan' at the Martand Sun temple in Anantnag district.
The holy mace will be taken to the cave shrine for darshan on Shravan-Purnima on August 18 - the day official pilgrimage ends.
Before joining the yatra, 'Chhari Mubarak' will be taken to various temples in Srinagar, Giri said. On August 2, it will be taken to Shankaracharya Temple and will return to its abode the same day.
'Chhari Mubarak' will be taken to Sharika Bhawani Temple at Hariparvat in downtown Srinagar the next day.
Giri said Chhari-Sthapana and Dhwajarohan ceremonies will be performed at the Dashnami Akhara on August 5 followed by traditional 'Chhari-Pujan' on August 7.
He said 'Chhari Mubarak' will join the yatra on August 13.
After 'puja' and 'visarjan' ceremonies at the bank of river Lidder in Pahalgam next week, 'Chhari Mubarak' will return to its permanent abode at Dashnami Akhara.
In a communication to the Chief Minister, Giri said he has appelead to the state government to take appropriate measures for the security of the pilgrims accompanying the holy mace.
