Umar Ganie captures glimpses from the Chhari-Mubarak procession as sadhus and devotees begin the final journey to the Amarnath cave shrine.
The annual pilgrimage enters its concluding phase with special rituals, chanting and heightened security along the Srinagar route.
Key Points
- The Chhari-Mubarak departed Srinagar with Mahant Deependra Giri leading the annual procession towards the Amarnath cave shrine.
- The Chhari Puja at the Shri Amareshwar temple marked the ceremonial beginning of the pilgrimage's concluding phase this year.
- Security remained tight as devotees and sadhus chanted religious slogans while accompanying the revered mace along the route.
Custodian of the Chhari-Mubarak (holy mace) and head priest Mahant Deependra Giri, along with other sadhus, on Saturday, August 22, embarked on the main course of the annual Amarnath Yatra by carrying the sacred mace from Srinagar to the Amarnath cave shrine.
Before leaving for the cave shrine, the Chhari Puja was performed at the Shri Amareshwar temple, Dashnami Akhara, in Srinagar.
The holy mace will be taken to the Amarnath cave shrine, where a special puja and darshan will be performed on Shravan Purnima, marking the culmination of the annual pilgrimage 2026.
Tight security arrangements were put in place along the route as the sadhus proceeded towards the shrine.
Temple rituals mark departure
Journey to the holy cave
Tight security on route
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
