The Chhari Mubarak, holy Silver Mace of Lord Shiva left Sheshnag for Panjterni on way to Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where final puja will be held on August 26 when the annual pilgrimage will conclude.
Reciting Vedic Mantras and chanting “ Bam Bam Bolay” and Har Har Mahadev”, the Mace being carried by Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the Chhari Mubarak, left Sheshnag early Friday morning for Panterni at a height of 12000 feet above sea level.
The Mace has reached Sheshnag on Thursday from Chandanwari, the first halting station on traditional Pahalgam yatra route.
The pilgrims, accompanying the Chhari have to climb a steep height across Mahagunas pass at 14000 feet to reach meadow lands of Panjterni after covering the 4.6 km distance on foot.
The track to Mahagunas is full of rivulets, water falls and springs. At Panjtarni, at the feet of “ Bhairav Mount “, Five Rivers flow which apparently originated from Lord Shiva’s Hair (Jataon).
The Chhari will leave for holy cave on August 26 morning and pilgrims have to come across the Sangam of Amravati and Panjtarni rivers. Some pilgrims will take bath at Amravati near the Holy Cave before going for Darshan. There are two smaller Shivlings one of Maa Parvati and other of Shri Ganesh. However, the self made Ice-Shivlings have since melted due to warm weather and heavy rush of pilgrims.
The annual yatra will conclude on August 26 after the day-long puja at the cave shrine and Chhari will start return journey same evening.
