Chhari Pujan performed in Srinagar; mace to begin Amarnath trek

Every year, many people go on a special trip called the Amarnath Yatra to visit a holy cave shrine in the mountains.

Before the final part of the trip, a special ceremony called Chhari Pujan is held.

In this ceremony, people pray to a holy mace, a special stick that belongs to Lord Shiva.

The ceremony took place at a temple in Srinagar on Monday, August 17, which is the festival of Nag Panchami.

A holy man named Mahant Deependra Giri led the prayers together with a group of sadhus.

After the ceremony, the holy mace will be carried on a long walk to the Amarnath cave shrine.

The walk begins on August 22, with night stops at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarani.

When the mace reaches the shrine on August 28, final prayers and darshan will take place.

More than 480,000 pilgrims have already visited the shrine since the Yatra began on July 3.

The entire Yatra will come to an end on August 28.