Week before Manimahesh Yatra, Bharmour administration issues advisory

Our Correspondent

Chamba, August 19

With only a week left for the commencement of the annual Manimahesh Yatra, the Bharmour district administration has issued a special advisory for pilgrims coming from other states.

Acting Additional District Magistrate and Shri Manimahesh member secretary Kulbir Singh Rana emphasised the importance of adhering to the advisory, especially for pilgrims traveling from the plains, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Rana said the yatra was more challenging than other religious pilgrimages in North India.

Pilgrims arriving from lower and warmer regions have been advised not to start the trek directly from Bharmour-Hadsar, as it could adversely affect their physical health.

A halt at places like Chamba and Bharmour has been recommended to the pilgrims to let them acclimatise with the local environment.

The advisory also cautioned pilgrims to drive with extreme care in hilly areas, noting that overheating of vehicles’ braking systems during descent was a major cause of accidents. It was crucial to maintain controlled speed and use lower gears while descending, the advisory noted.

“Pilgrims are advised not to travel at night and to strictly follow instructions written on warning boards, which have been installed at various locations by the administration. During the monsoons, a sudden rise in water levels of rivers and streams is possible, so pilgrims should avoid venturing near rivers and streams,” the acting ADM said.

Essential items like warm clothing, torches, umbrellas and raincoats should be carried, he added. Pilgrims have also been advised to undergo a health check-up to ensure physical fitness, and to not ignore weather forecasts.

“Special caution is urged while ascending from Hadsar village, and pilgrims should avoid stopping at places prone to falling rocks. Registration for the pilgrimage is mandatory,” added Rana.

Nothing that the region is ecologically sensitive, he appealed to the pilgrims to not litter and avoid using prohibited plastic materials.

As per local tradition, the Manimahesh Yatra is organised from Krishna Janmashtami to Radha Ashtami every year. This year, the yatra will take place from August 26 to September 11.

Each year, lakhs of pilgrims from across the country, including the state and neighbouring states like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana, trek to Manimahesh to catch a glimpse of Mount Kailash, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.

The challenging 13-km trek starts from the Hadsar base camp, situated approximately 6,000 ft above sea level, and passes through steep hills and sprawling glaciers before concluding at Manimahesh Lake, situated at an altitude of 13,500 ft.