Amarnath pilgrims worship Holy Mace in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 19 (ANI): Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir prayed before 'Charri Mubarak' (the Holy Mace of Lord Shiva) at the Shanakaracharya Temple here on Thursday.

Mahant Deependra Giri, the head priest of the Shankaracharya Temple, performed the rituals amidst chanting of Vedic hymns.

"Today is 19th the day of 'Dashmi' and on 21st the second day will rest in Chandanwadi and after that on the third day, early morning we will move from Chandanwadi and then will rest in Sheshnag and the fourth day we will stay at Panchtarni and 'Chadi Mumbark' will be taken to the cave on 'Sharavan Purinam' which is on August 24 and will pray there," said Mahant Dependra Giri.

Giri said prayers would be performed for peace and brotherhood in Kashmir during the Muslim holy month.

"This is very good thing that this month is of Ramzan and we are starting the yatra and though the situation in the region is not good, we will pray to god, looking the current situation of the region, we will perform special prayers," said Giri.

The annual pilgrimage that started in June will come to an end on the full moon day in the third week of August, when the main rituals will be held inside the cave shrine.

After this, the rituals at Amarnath, the 'Chhari Mubarak' will be brought back to the Shanakracharya Temple where it will remain till the pilgrimage next year. By Bilal Bhat (ANI)