Mahant Deependra Giri announces detailed ‘Chhari Mubarak’ rituals

Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the sacred Chhari Mubarak (Holy Mace) of Swami Amarnath Ji, on Thursday announced the detailed programme for the annual Chhari Mubarak pilgrimage for 2026, with the traditional holy mace scheduled to reach the Amarnath Cave Shrine on 28 August on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Purnima.
Issuing the annual pilgrimage schedule for the information of sadhus and devotees, the Mahant said the centuries-old religious rituals marking the formal commencement of the pilgrimage would begin at Pahalgam on July 29, coinciding with Ashad Purnima (Vyas Purnima). The traditional ceremonies of Bhoomi Pujan, Navgrah Pujan and Dhawajarohan will be performed as per age-old customs.
According to the programme, the sacred Chhari Mubarak will be taken to the historic Shankaracharya Temple on August 12 and Sharika Bhawani Temple on August 13 before being ceremonially installed at the Shri Amareshwar Temple, Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, on August 15.
The traditional Chhari Pujan will be performed at Dashnami Akhara on August 17, which coincides with the auspicious festival of Nag Panchami.
The main pilgrimage carrying the Holy Mace to the cave shrine will commence from Srinagar on August 22 under the leadership of Mahant Deependra Giri Ji. The yatra will halt at Pahalgam on August 22 and 23, Chandanwari on August 24, Sheshnag on August 25 and Panchtarani on August 26 and 27 before reaching the Holy Cave Shrine on August 28, where the traditional prayers and darshan will be performed on Shravan Purnima.
The Mahant has also written to the Jammu and Kashmir Government, urging it to make all necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, preserve its age-old traditions and ensure adequate safety and security for the sadhus and pilgrims accompanying the Holy Mace.
He advised all sadhus and devotees intending to join the Chhari Mubarak procession to complete the mandatory registration process, stating that only registered pilgrims possessing valid Yatra permits would be permitted to accompany the Holy Mace during the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, the Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akhara Trust, Srinagar, has made arrangements for accommodation and food for sadhus arriving from different parts of the country at the Akhara building at Budshah Chowk, Srinagar, during the annual pilgrimage.