Anantnag, Aug 22: The sacred Chhari Mubarak, the holy silver mace of Lord Shiva, reached the Shiv Temple in Bijbehara on Saturday with Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of Chhari Mubarak, leading the contingent of Sadhus.
The holy mace was warmly welcomed by the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, SSP Anantnag and local residents of Bijbehara, who gathered at the temple to receive the religious procession.
Speaking to reporters, Mahant Giri said that the procession was being taken forward on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Shukla Paksha Dashami for the main yatra.
He said the contingent was proceeding from Mahadev Bramhlin Mahadev Giri for the main pilgrimage, carrying the sacred representations of Shiva and Shakti, as part of the traditional rituals associated with the annual pilgrimage.
The Chhari Mubarak, which holds immense religious significance, is traditionally carried along the pilgrimage route amid prayers and religious ceremonies and marks the concluding phase of the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra.
The Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026 will conclude on Raksha Bandhan, with the final religious ceremonies marking the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Baba Amarnath.
This year, the pilgrimage has witnessed a massive response, with more than 4.80 lakh pilgrims having paid obeisance at Baba Barfani.
