Poonch, August 26, 2026 – The annual Chhari Mubarak Yatra has commenced from Shri Dashnami Akhara, Poonch, with the sacred mace being carried under the leadership of Swami Vishavatmanand Saraswati Ji towards the Shri Buddha Amarnath Ji Temple in Mandi.
The holy mace, revered by devotees as a symbol of divine blessing, was ceremonially taken up amid religious rituals and the chanting of Vedic hymns, marking the formal beginning of the pilgrimage. Accompanied by sadhus, devotees, and local residents, the procession is proceeding through the traditional route towards the temple, situated in the picturesque Mandi valley of Poonch district. The atmosphere at Shri Dashnami Akhara was charged with devotion as hundreds gathered to witness the commencement of the yatra and seek blessings before the mace began its journey.
A Centuries-Old Tradition
The Shri Buddha Amarnath Ji Yatra is among the most significant pilgrimages in the Pir Panjal region, with devotees holding the belief that the yatra to the main Amarnath cave shrine remains incomplete without paying obeisance at Buddha Amarnath. The temple, located over 4,600 feet above sea level along the banks of the river Pulasti, has drawn pilgrims for generations, with the tradition believed to have been regularised and expanded during the Dogra rule of Poonch under local rulers including Raja Moti Singh, Baldev Singh, Sikhdev Singh, and Jagat Dev Singh between 1852 and 1939.
Every year, the movement of the Chhari Mubarak from Shri Dashnami Akhara towards the temple sets the tone for the multi-day pilgrimage, drawing devotees from within Jammu and Kashmir as well as pilgrims travelling from other parts of the country. The yatra typically spans about ten days, during which pilgrims trek through scenic mountain terrain, halting at designated points along the route for rest, prayer, and community meals organised by local volunteers and langar committees.
Security and Administrative Arrangements
In view of the annual influx of pilgrims, district authorities in Poonch have put in place security and logistical arrangements along the yatra route, including medical camps, langars, and accommodation facilities at key halting points. Additional deployment of security personnel is typically made in the border district to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, given its proximity to sensitive areas. Local administration officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring a smooth and safe pilgrimage for all devotees undertaking the journey to the temple, with online registration facilities also made available in past years to help pilgrims plan their travel and accommodation in advance.
A Symbol of Faith and Harmony
The Chhari Mubarak Yatra, alongside similar traditions associated with the larger Amarnath pilgrimage, continues to be viewed as a reflection of the region’s deep-rooted spiritual heritage and its composite cultural fabric. Religious and administrative leaders have, on such occasions, consistently emphasised the yatra’s role in fostering communal harmony and reinforcing the shared traditions of the border district. Local residents, cutting across religious lines, are often seen participating in the arrangements for the pilgrimage, offering hospitality and support to visiting devotees — a practice that has long been cited as an example of the region’s syncretic traditions.
Pilgrimage to Continue Over Coming Days
The Yatra is expected to proceed over the coming days, with devotees converging at Shri Buddha Amarnath Ji Temple to seek blessings, culminating the pilgrimage with traditional rituals at the shrine. Devotional gatherings, bhajans, and kirtans are expected to be held at various halting points along the route as the mace makes its way through the valley.
Pilgrims and visitors have been advised to follow the guidelines issued by the local administration and to cooperate with security personnel deployed along the route to ensure a safe and peaceful pilgrimage for all.