Srinagar: The month-long Amarnath pilgrimage entered its final phase on August 7, with 'Charri Mubarak', the mace of Lord Shiva, carried by a group of sadhus leaving Srinagar for Pahalgam en route to the holy cave shrine in South Kashmir.

Led by head priest of Dashmani Akhara Trust Mahant Deepinder Giri, the sadhus performed a 'puja' before the 'yatra' began, amidst chanting of slogans in praise of Lord Shiva.

Governor Lieutenant General (retired) S K Sinha participated in the 'puja' held at Dashmani Akhara temple, the seat of Charri Mubarak. This was for the first time in three decades that a head of the state visited Dashmani Akhara in the sensitive Budshah Chowk to perform 'puja'.

The Charri would reach the cave shrine on 'Shravan Purnima', coinciding with 'Raksha Bandhan' on August 12, when the final 'darshan' of the naturally formed ice lingam would be performed, bringing the annual pilgrimage to an end.

Mahant Giri told reporters that the mace had been passed on to the devotees by the Lord for their protection from 'asuras' (evil spirits).

The Governor, who is also the chairman of the Amarnath shrine board, expressed happiness over the conduct of the yatra this year. "This year's pilgrimage has been peaceful so far and we expect to make better arrangements next year."

Meanwhile, the number of pilgrims reaching Kashmir valley for Amarnath yatra crossed 1.50 lakh on August 7. Official reports said 150,101 yatris have reached the valley till August 7 morning. Of them, 148,000 devotees had darshan till August 6 evening and 1,43,000 pilgrims have returned via Baltal and Pahalgam till August 6 evening.

PTI