Saturday, July 4, 2015

Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra to Commence from 17 July 2015

Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra to Commence from 17 July 2015.                                        KULLU-MANALI: Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, the toughest pilgrimage of the country, is going to start from July 17 and will conclude on July 31. Organizers believe that the yatra is expected to see a record number of devotees following suspension of Kedarnath yatra. The 28km yatra, passing through high mountains and deep valleys, would be organized under observation of police, administration, medical and search and rescue teams. Holy "chhadi" of Devi Bhimakali would be brought out on July 16, on the occasion of Dakshinayana Sankranti, and the procession will move to Singhad, the base camps of the yatra. The actual yatra will start from July 17.

Shrikhand Seva Mandal president Govind Sharma said: "This time, more than 15,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive here. The yatra starts from Nirmand (Kullu) and Rampur (Shimla). Last year, a majority of pilgrims were from Punjab, Gujarat and Maharashtra, besides Himachal Pradesh," he said. Kullu administration will make special arrangements to ensure safety, security and convenience of pilgrims. Special police force and medical teams would be deployed at several places along route of the yatra which starts at an elevation of 6,000ft at Singhad and ends at 17,000ft. Pilgrims would be allowed to take part in the yatra only after medical checkup. Sources said that pilgrims would have to cross several glaciers, avalanches, rivulets, steep mountain passes and five to 50 feet thick layer of snow. An official said that the yatra is organized officially for 15 days; however, pilgrims proceed for the yatra even in August which is extremely dangerous.

Generally, it takes at least four days to complete the yatra. For safety reasons, pilgrims have to get themselves registered with police before and after the yatra. Camps would be set up at various places for night stay, and police and medical teams would be equipped with oxygen cylinders, stretchers, emergency lights and other necessary equipment.

Officials from forest, revenue and IPH departments will also be present at various camps. Five pilgrims had lost their lives in yatra last year, which was finally suspended on July 24 following inclement weather. Govind Sharma said that camps would not be established at Parvati Bagh this year as crowd of pilgrims is destroying beauty of the place.

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