Kailash Kund Yatra begins in Bhaderwah with limited participation

Ramban, Aug 20: The three-day Kailash Kund Yatra carrying the holy mace (Charri Mubarak) began from Vaski Nag temple in Bhaderwah on Wednesday, with authorities restricting participation and curtailing the pilgrimage to symbolic rituals in view of recent cloudbursts and adverse weather conditions.

Hundreds of people participated in the Yatra at the Vaski Nag temple before it left for the Kailash Kund peaks of Bhaderwah.

The Yatra will involve around a 20 km trek to Kailash Kund, a high-altitude lake where devotees will take a holy dip in the lake.

According to officials, Kailash Kund Lake is situated at 14,700 feet above sea level.

Earlier on Tuesday, following the adverse weather advisory issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and in view of recent cloudbursts in Kishtwar and Kathua districts, the annual three-day Kailash Kund Yatra was curtailed to symbolic rituals this year.

Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh informed reporters that the decision to curtail Kailash Yatra to symbolic rituals this year was taken by the authorities after holding deliberations with organisers of Kailash Kund Yatra.

The Yatra was curtailed to symbolic rituals due to recent cloudbursts in two bordering districts of Doda, i.e., Kishtwar and Kathua districts.

The annual three-day Kailash Kund Yatra is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Earlier, the district administration of Doda had imposed restrictions on the participation of children, women and aged people due to safety concerns and in view of inclement weather.

According to Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh, the Yatra will proceed only through two routes, Sangli Nalthi and Drafda-Bhalla, while the third Chattergala route has been closed for pilgrims. He said the Chattergala route is unsafe.

The holy mace (Charri Mubarak) will accompany the group of devotees (Yatris) for a symbolic Yatra, ensuring that the rituals are performed.

Every pilgrim must carry an identity card issued by the District Administration Doda.

The deputy commissioner further said a comprehensive deployment strategy has been chalked out for the safety of the pilgrims. He said officials, medical facilities, disaster preparedness, shelter, water, communications, and security are put in place at all the major points.

The deputy commissioner appealed to the devotees to strictly follow the advisories.

DC assured that the administration, police, medical and disaster management teams are fully committed to a safe, smooth and spiritually fulfilling Kailash Yatra.

It is mentioned here that thousands of people from the Jammu region and other states are participating every year in the Kailash Kund Yatra in the Kailash Kund peaks of Bhaderwah through three different routes on foot.

Meanwhile, the District Administration of Doda has made elaborate security arrangements all along the route to provide foolproof security to the pilgrims.