Srinagar, August 22,2026- The sacred Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva and the most revered symbol of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, departed from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar on Saturday, marking the beginning of the final traditional trek towards the Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
The ceremonial departure was led by Mahant Deependra Giri, the sole custodian of the holy mace, who was accompanied by a procession of sadhus and devotees chanting Vedic hymns as the saffron-robed silver mace set out on its centuries-old pilgrimage route. Devotees gathered in large numbers at the Akhara to witness the mace’s departure and offer prayers before its journey began.
The Chhari Mubarak will now proceed along the traditional Pahalgam route, making customary night halts at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni before reaching the holy cave shrine. The mace is scheduled to arrive at the shrine of Swami Amarnath Ji for Pujan and Darshan on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima, which will mark the ceremonial culmination of this year’s Yatra.
Saturday’s departure follows weeks of preparatory rituals that form part of the age-old traditions associated with the pilgrimage. The Chhari Mubarak was earlier taken to the historic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar on August 12 and to the Sharika Bhawani Temple on August 13. Chhari-Sthapana rituals were subsequently performed at the Shri Amareshwar Temple within the Dashnami Akhara on August 15, followed by the traditional Chhari-Pujan on August 17, which coincided with the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami.
Officials said elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the procession as it makes its way through the mountainous terrain to the cave shrine. A request has also been sent to the Union Territory administration to make necessary arrangements to preserve the age-old traditions associated with the Yatra and to ensure the safety of the sadhus and pilgrims accompanying the holy mace.
The development comes even as authorities had earlier suspended the regular Amarnath Yatra from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from August 9, to allow the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to carry out urgent repair work on stretches of the pilgrimage track damaged by recent rainfall. The India Meteorological Department had also issued weather alerts for the region, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. Despite the suspension of the regular pilgrimage, the traditional Chhari Mubarak procession — considered a distinct and inviolable ritual — is proceeding as per its customary schedule.
This year’s 57-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra commenced on July 3, 2026, simultaneously through the Chandanwari route in Anantnag district and the Baltal route in Ganderbal district. Officials said more than 4.8 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at the holy cave shrine so far this season, reflecting a strong turnout despite intermittent weather-related disruptions.
The Chhari Mubarak tradition remains one of the oldest and most significant customs associated with the Amarnath Yatra, symbolising the completion of the pilgrimage each year and drawing devotees and sadhus from across the country who accompany the mace on its arduous trek through the Himalayan terrain. Mahant Deependra Giri expressed satisfaction over the response to this year’s pilgrimage and reiterated calls for cooperation between devotees, security personnel, and the administration to ensure the remaining leg of the journey concludes without incident.
With the sacred mace now on its way, all eyes in the Valley turn to August 28, when the Chhari Mubarak is expected to reach the Amarnath cave shrine, bringing this year’s Yatra to its traditional and spiritually significant close.
