Srinagar: The Amarnath Yatra concluded on Saturday with the installation of the ‘Chhari Mubarak’ ritual at the holy cave shrine, marking the end of the annual pilgrimage.
Special prayers were offered in a traditional ceremony led by Mahant Dipendra Giri, with hundreds of sadhus in attendance. Devotees were given the final darshan of the year following the ritual.
The ‘Chhari Mubarak’ — the symbolic mace of Lord Shiva — was installed at the shrine, located at an altitude of 14,500 feet.
Although the pilgrimage officially ended on Saturday, it had effectively concluded a few days earlier after the number of pilgrims dwindled. Authorities had reportedly imposed restrictions on participation, citing terror threats and adverse weather.
The yatra, which began on July 3, was suspended from August 3 due to heavy rains that damaged roads. This year, around 4.10 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine, compared to over 5.10 lakh last year.
