‘Charri Mubarak’ rituals held in Pahalgam

Srinagar, July 31

The Amarnath yatra rituals related to ‘Charri Mubarak’ (the holy mace of Lord Shiva) began today with a puja at Pahalgam in south Kashmir.

Mahant Deependra Giri, who led a group of sadhus while carrying the mace, said the rituals began with a ‘pujan’ at Pahalgam on the occasion of Vyas Purnima.

He said ‘bhoomi pujan’, ‘navgrah pujan’, ‘Chhari pujan’ and ‘dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed with the chanting of Vedic hymns. “These are important rituals prior to the main course of the pilgrimage. A large number of sadhus and pilgrims were present on the occasion and also participated in the pujan,” he said.

Sadhus usually take the traditional Pahalgam-Chandanwari route to the Amarnath cave shrine.

As per past practice, the mace is carried to various Valley temples to perform religious rituals before finally being taken to the Amarnath cave on the day of Raksha Bandhan.

Prayers were also offered at the Martand Temple at Mattan in Anantnag.

On August 14, the holy mace will be carried to the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar for a puja. — TNS