Srinagar, Aug 19: After a peaceful and smooth journey spanning 52 days, the annual Amarnath Yatra will conclude on Monday. During this period, nearly five lakh pilgrims have visited the cave shrine for 'darshan.'
The final leg of the Yatra began this morning with the 'Chhari Mubarak' (the sacred silver mace of Lord Shiva), carried by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, making its way from Panchtarni to the holy cave.
Starting on June 29, this year's Yatra will wrap up on Monday, coinciding with 'Shravan Purnima' and the Raksha Bandhan festival. The event has been marked by high-security measures, with a strong presence of police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) along the entire route from Jammu to the base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam. Advanced security technology and the cooperation of local communities have contributed to an incident-free Yatra.
The Chhari Mubarak, accompanied by sadhus and devotees chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ and Vedic hymns, began its journey from Panchtarni, the last camp, toward the cave shrine located 3,888 meters above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas. The shrine features an ice stalagmite that grows and diminishes with the moon phases, symbolizing the divine powers of Lord Shiva.
On the concluding day, traditional rituals and prayers will be offered for world peace and the prosperity of humanity. The Chhari Mubarak will then return to Panchtarni before proceeding back to Pahalgam.
Having departed from the Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 14, the Chhari Mubarak made stops at various temples and stayed in Pahalgam for two nights before heading to the cave shrine on August 16.
Swami Deependra Giri praised the improved facilities and arrangements made by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) under the leadership of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and the union territory administration. He noted that the enhanced infrastructure, including the widened track to the shrine, has led to a greater influx of pilgrims. Special prayers for global peace and the prosperity of the country, especially Jammu and Kashmir, will be offered at the cave shrine.
