Srinagar, July 31: Charri Mubarak, the saffron-robed silver mace of Lord Shiva, was taken to the ancient Sharika Bhawani temple located in downtown Srinagar today as part of rituals connected with the annual Amarnath pilgrimage.
 Accompanied by a group of sadhus, the mace was carried this morning by its custodian Mahant Deependra Giri to the temple at Hari Parvat from its Dashnami Akhara abode in the heart of the city, Publicity Secretary of Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara Trust Ashok Giri said.
 He said sadhus, who participated in the 'pujan' (prayers), prayed for everlasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
 The Charri was also taken to the historic Shankaracharya temple in the city yesterday for prayers on the occasion of 'Haryali-Amavasya', he said.
 As per an age old tradition, the 'Charri Mubarak' is being taken to various temples in the city and elsewhere before its scheduled departure for the 3,880 metre high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
 Rituals connected with the mace started with 'Bhoomi-Pujan' and 'Dhawajarohan' ceremonies at Pahalgam on July 15, marking the commencement of the yatra.
 The mace would be offered special prayers on 'Nag-Panchami' at its abode in the city on August 4 before it joins the annual pilgrimage which is scheduled to conclude with the arrival of the holy mace at the cave shrine on August 13.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 1 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST