"Chhari Sthapana", an important ritual in connection with the ongoing Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir Himalayas, was today performed by a group of sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri at Shri Amareshwar Temple here.
"In connection with annual pilgrimage of Chhari-Mubarak (holy mace of Lord Shiva), the traditional Chhari-Sthapana ceremony was held at the temple by a group of sadhus led by Giri amid chanting of Vedic hymns this morning," a spokesman of the 'True Trust', founded by Giri in 2004, said.
Giri, who is the custodian of the holy mace, would join the annual pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre high holy cave on August 13, marking the concluding phase of the 48-day yatra.
"The holy mace, one depicting Lord Shiva and another Goddess Parvati, will be kept in the Temple for 'darshan' till it leaves for main course of pilgrimage next week," the spokesman said.
He said the traditional 'Chhari-Pujan' would be performed on Sunday on the occasion of 'Nag-Panchami' at the temple.
After night halts at various places along the traditional 42-km Pahalgam route, the holy mace is expected to reach the cave shrine on August 18 for day-long prayers on the occasion of 'Raksha-Bandhan' and 'Sharavan Purnima', marking the conclusion of the annual yatra.
The yatra commenced from the twin routes of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and 12-km shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district on July 2 and so far about 2.17 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine, housing the naturally formed ice-shivlingam.
