SRINAGAR, INDIA, August 2, 2019 (Tribune India): (HPI note: This report came before the government shut down the pilgrimage as reported above.) As part of age-old traditions related to the Amarnath yatra, the holy mace Chhari Mubarak was carried to the Sharika-Bhawani temple, Hari Parbat, for prayers. Custodian of the mace Mahant Deependra Giri said the mace was taken to Sharika-Bhawani to pay obeisance to the Goddess on the occasion of Shravan Shukla Paksha Pratipada. “Sharika-Bhawani, popularly known as Tripursundari, among the mystics, is believed to be Isht Devi (presiding Deity) of Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of shila (holy rock) at Hari Parbat,” the Mahant said.
Rituals connected with Chhari-Sthapana are scheduled to be performed on Monday at Shri Amareshwar Temple in Srinagar. After performing the rituals, the holy mace will be kept at the temple for darshan till it leaves for the main course of the pilgrimage on August 20 to the holy cave shrine.