Srinagar, Aug 9: The focus of the annual Amarnath Yatra has now shifted to the ritualistic journey of Charri Mubarak to the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas beginning Thursday, officials said here.

The Chhari will be taken to Shankaracharya temple here on August 12 and the Sharika Bhawani Temple on August 13 before rituals are performed for Chhari-Sthapana at the Amareshwar Temple Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on August 15.
"Traditional Chhari-Pujan shall be performed at Dashnami Akhara Srinagar on 17th of August on the auspicious occasion of 'Nag-Panchami'. Embarking on the main course of pilgrimage on 22nd of August, the mace will be taken to the shrine of Amarnath to perform pujan and have 'Darshan' on occasion of 'Shravan-Purnima' on the 28th of August," Mahant Deependri Giri said.
There will be night halts at Pahalgam on August 22 and 23, Chandanwari on 24th, Sheshnag on 25th and at Panchtarani on 26th and 27th of August, respectively.
Giri said a letter has been sent to the Union Territory government for making all the necessary arrangements to preserve the age-old traditions and ensure the movement of Chhari as per the schedule and take all the preventive measures for the safety and security of the sadhus and pilgrims accompanying the mace.
The authorities have closed both tracks leading to the cave shrine to carry out necessary track repairs.
According to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, the Yatra shall remain suspended from both routes with effect from August 9.
He said Chari shall proceed via traditional Pahalgam route and shall mark the culmination of Yatra on August 28.
The 57-day-long Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3 this year and will culminate on August 28 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
More than 4.8 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at the cave shrine so far, Garg said.