Holy mace of Lord Shiva taken to sharika-Bhawani temple in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 13 (UNI) ''Chari-Mubarak'', the holy mace of Lord Shiva, was today taken to ancient Sharika Bhawani temple on Hariparvat hill in down town area of the city for puja on the occasion of Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada.

The mace will be taken from the Dashnami Akhara on August 23 to reach holy shrine on August 28 when the two-month-long annual yatra concludes.

A procession, led by by Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the holy mace, accompanied by a sizeable number of sadhus and other pilgrims, including Kashmiri Pandits, took the Chari Mubarak to Sharika Bhawani temple today as per the age old custom.

It was to pay obeisance to Goddess Sharika besides offering puja and praying for the restoration of normalcy in the state, a spokesperson for of the Mahant said.

The Chari Mubarak was yesterday taken to Shankerachariya temple from Akhara temple complex housing the holy mace.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Giri said people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their caste, creed, colour and religion have been cooperating, assisting and encouraging the pilgrims and sadhus from all over the country to undertake the annual pilgrimage.

He said the annual Amarnath yatra was a symbol of Hindu-Muslim amity and goodwill and also a boon for the economy of the people of the state.

He said significant puja in connection with the main pilgrimage of Amarnath, shall be held at Dashnami Akhara here on '' Nag Panchmi'' on August 18.

Sadhus led by Mahant Giri, carrying holy mace will start for the main pilgrimage from Dashnami Akhara on August 23 to reach the holy cave on Raksha Bandan day on August 28. The mace will be brought back to Pahalgam same evening and later to Srinagar.

UNI