Chhari Mubarak begins sacred journey from Srinagar to Amarnath Cave shrine
Synopsis
The Chhari Mubarak — Lord Shiva's sacred silver mace and the spiritual heartbeat of the Amarnath Yatra — left Srinagar's Dashnami Akkara temple on 29 July under custodian Mahant Deependra Giri. With over 4.44 lakh pilgrims already at darshan and helicopter services grounded due to a no-fly zone, the Yatra heads into its final weeks before closing on Raksha Bandhan, 28 August.
Key Takeaways
Chhari Mubarak departed the Dashnami Akkara temple , Srinagar , on 29 July for the Amarnath Cave shrine .
Sole custodian Mahant Deependra Giri led the procession of Sadhus and devotees amid Vedic chanting.
Over 4.44 lakh devotees have had darshan since the Yatra began on 3 July .
The mace will first stop at Gauri Shankar Temple, Pahalgam for bhoomi pujan , then proceed to the cave shrine.
Helicopter services are unavailable this year due to a no-fly zone beyond the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps.
The Yatra concludes on 28 August — Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan — after 57 days .
The Chhari Mubarak — Lord Shiva's sacred silver mace — departed its seat at the Dashnami Akkara temple in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday, 29 July, beginning its holy pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave shrine. The procession, led by sole custodian Mahant Deependra Giri, moved through chanting of Vedic hymns amid a gathering of Sadhus and devotees.
Rituals and the Route Ahead
Preparatory rituals for the Chhari Mubarak were performed earlier in the day, Mahant Deependra Giri told reporters. The saffron-robed silver mace will first travel to the Gauri Shankar Temple in Pahalgam, where a bhoomi pujan of the holy mace will be conducted. It will then proceed onward to the sacred cave shrine.
On its return journey, the mace will halt at Martand Temple in the Mattan area for a ceremonial holy bath before being reinstated at the Dashnami Akkara temple in Srinagar.
Yatra Footfall and Significance
Since the Shri Amarnath ji Yatra commenced on 3 July, over 4.44 lakh devotees have had darshan inside the holy cave shrine, which sits at an altitude of 3,880 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas. The cave houses a naturally forming ice stalagmite structure that is believed to wax and wane with the lunar cycle — a phenomenon devotees associate with the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Two Routes to the Shrine
Pilgrims can reach the cave shrine via two routes. The traditional Pahalgam base camp route stretches 47 km and typically takes four days to complete. The shorter Baltal base camp route covers 14 km and allows devotees to complete the Yatra and return to base on the same day.
Key Restrictions and Closing Date
This year's Yatra will conclude after 57 days, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals on 28 August. Notably, areas beyond the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps have been declared a no-fly zone this year, making helicopter services unavailable to pilgrims — a significant logistical change from previous editions of the Yatra.
With the Chhari Mubarak now on its sacred route, the Yatra moves into its spiritually culminating phase ahead of the 28 August closing date.
Point of View
Raising questions about trail capacity and medical preparedness in the final stretch. With Raksha Bandhan coinciding with the closing date, this year's Yatra carries heightened religious symbolism — but the administration's ability to manage a surge in last-minute pilgrims without aerial support will be the real test of ground-level logistics.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chhari Mubarak and why is it significant?
The Chhari Mubarak is the sacred silver mace of Lord Shiva, draped in saffron, and is the central religious symbol of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Its journey from the Dashnami Akkara temple in Srinagar to the Amarnath Cave shrine, led by sole custodian Mahant Deependra Giri, formally marks the spiritual progression of the pilgrimage.
When did the Chhari Mubarak leave Srinagar and where is it headed?
The Chhari Mubarak departed the Dashnami Akkara temple in Srinagar on 29 July. It will first halt at Gauri Shankar Temple in Pahalgam for a bhoomi pujan before proceeding to the Amarnath Cave shrine.
How many pilgrims have visited the Amarnath Cave shrine so far in 2025?
Over 4.44 lakh devotees have had darshan at the Amarnath Cave shrine since the Yatra began on 3 July. The cave sits at 3,880 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas.
Why are helicopter services not available for the Amarnath Yatra this year?
Areas beyond the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps have been declared a no-fly zone this year, making helicopter services unavailable to pilgrims — a significant departure from previous years.
When does the Amarnath Yatra 2025 end?
The Shri Amarnath ji Yatra 2025 will conclude on 28 August, after 57 days, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
