The Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva, was taken to the Shankaracharya temple in Dalgate area of the city on Wednesday for prayers on the occasion of 'Haryali Amavasya', an age old tradition of the Amarnath yatra.
"In connection with Swami Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, Chhari-Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Deependra Giri ji was taken to historic Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar located at Gopadri Hills today for prayers on the occasion of 'Haryali-Amavasya' (Shravan Amavasya) as per the age-old customs," a statement issued by Dashnami Akhara, the permanent abode of the holy mace, said.
"Collective prayers were also offered for peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir and the country at whole," the statement read.Talking to reporters, Mahant Giri said historians are of the opinion that the temple at the top was originally built by King Sandiman."This temple was, earlier, known as Jyeshteshwara or Jyoteshwara temple. But after Adi Guru Shankracharya Ji visited this temple, it is, now, popularly known as Shri Shankracharya Temple," he said.
The Chhari-Mubarak shall be taken to 'Sharika-Bhawani' Temple at Hari Parbat fort here to pay obeisance to the goddess on Thursday, August 13, he added.The Amarnath yatra was stopped on August 9, nearly three weeks ahead of schedule, for track repairs.However, the ritualistic journey of Chhari Mubarak to the holy cave shrine will continue as per schedule and the Amarnath yatra will end on August 28 as per the original schedule.
Pertinently, due to damaged tracks on both the North Kashmir Baltal route and the South Kashmir Pahalgam route and following adverse weather advisory, the Amarnath Yatra has been suspended indefinitely.Officials said the damage to the two tracks leading from the two base camps will take a long time to rectify, and keeping in view the safety of the Yatris, SANJY-2026 has been suspended and all pilgrims at the base camp and the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu have been asked to return home.
"Registration for this year's Yatra has also been closed, and the movement of Yatris towards the Valley will not be allowed this year although the 'Chhari Mubarak' (Lord Shivam's holy Mace) will travel through the traditional Pahalgam route and reach the cave shrine on August 28 when the Yatra will formally conclude", officials said.
Since the 57-day-long SANJY-2026 started on July 3, more than 4.80 lakh Yatris have had darshan inside the holy cave shrine situated 3880 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas. The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
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