Anantnag, Aug. 23 -- The Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace associated with the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, was accorded a traditional welcome at Bijbehara on Saturday as it commenced its final journey towards the Amarnath cave shrine.

Deputy Commissioner Anantnag and Yatra Officer for the Pahalgam axis, Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, received the custodian of the holy mace, Mahant Deependra Giri, at Pujteng. Senior civil and police officials were also present on the occasion.

The procession, led by Mahant Deependra Giri, was accompanied by sadhus and devotees chanting devotional hymns.

Special prayers and rituals were performed at the Shiv Temple in Bijbehara and later at the historic Martand Tirth in Mattan. The Chhari Mubarak is scheduled t...