Holy mace of Lord Shiva joins Amarnath yatra

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 25: 'Chhari Mubarak', the holy mace of Lord Shiva, today joined the annual Amarnath yatra, marking concluding phase of the 59-day pilgrimage to 3,880 metre cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas. Amid chanting of vedic hymns, the saffron robed-mace was taken out from its abode at Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara by its custodian Mahant Deepindra Giri this morning. It left for base camp Pahalgam along the traditional 45-km route to the holy cave. On way to Pahalgam, it was taken to various temples en route, including historic Martand Temple at Mattan and prayers were offered there, officials said. The sadhus will also offer special prayers to the 'Chhari Mubarak' at Pahalgam, 100 kms from here before leaving for the cave shrine tomorrow, he said. Accompanied by a group of sadhus and pilgrims, the 'Chhari Mubarak' will reach the cave on August 29 on the occassion of 'Raksha Bandhan' which marks the culmination of the annual yatra. So far over 3.51 lakh pilgrims visited cave shrine since beginning of the yatra on July 2.