BHADERWAH/JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 08: The annual three-day Kailash Kund Yatra began on Tuesday with the sacred ‘Charri Mubarak’ departing from the ancient Vasuki Nag Temple at Gatha in Doda district, officials said.
Thousands of devotees gathered at the historic temple to participate in the centuries-old pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Vasuki Nag, the presiding deity of Bhaderwah Valley. The sacred mace is being carried to the high-altitude Kailash Kund Lake, located at an elevation of around 14,700 feet.
As per the schedule, the yatra will halt at Hayan (Nalthi) before reaching Kailash Kund on September 9, where devotees will take a holy dip. The return journey will commence on September 10.
Devotees said the pilgrimage has been continuing for generations and remains an important symbol of the region’s Nag culture. The annual yatra also attracts tourists from different parts of the country, providing a boost to pilgrimage tourism in Bhaderwah.
Senior BJP leader and Bhaderwah MLA Daleep Singh Parihar also joined the holy mace and said thousands of tourists had visited the region over the past fortnight for the Kailash Kund Yatra.
Naresh Kumar Gupta, former two-time MLC and a devotee of Lord Vasuki Nag, said pilgrims undertake the arduous journey every year despite the challenging terrain, driven by faith and devotion.
The Kailash Kund Lake is also believed to be surrounded by rare high-altitude medicinal herbs, while devotees traditionally believe that bathing in its icy waters can cure several ailments.
Last year, participation in the yatra was restricted following a cloudburst in neighbouring Kishtwar district on August 14, which claimed 63 lives, mostly pilgrims of the Machail Mata Yatra, while 30 people remained missing.
Ahead of this year’s pilgrimage, Bhaderwah Additional District Magistrate Sunil Kumar Bhutyal issued an advisory urging devotees to remain adequately prepared, exercise caution and strictly follow the instructions of the yatra administration.
Pilgrims have been advised to monitor weather updates and carry warm and waterproof clothing, rain gear, suitable footwear, torches, medicines, food and other essential supplies. Those experiencing symptoms of high-altitude illness have been advised to immediately descend and seek medical assistance.
Keeping the difficult terrain and high-altitude conditions in view, people above 70 years of age, children below 14, those suffering from serious illnesses, pregnant women and lactating mothers with their babies have been advised against undertaking the yatra beyond specified points.
The administration has also prohibited intoxicants, narcotic drugs, alcohol, caffeinated drinks and tobacco products in the yatra area. Pilgrims have been directed to use designated tracks, avoid shortcuts and refrain from activities that could harm the local ecology, flora and fauna. Single-use plastic has been strictly banned.
Meanwhile, elaborate security and emergency arrangements have been put in place for the pilgrimage. A high-level joint coordination meeting was held at Doda on September 5 to review security, deployment, disaster management and other arrangements.
The meeting was co-chaired by DIG Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Sargun Shukla and DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range Shiv Kumar Sharma. Officials reviewed the yatra routes, threat perception, security deployment and contingency plans.
Quick Reaction Teams, SDRF, Mountain Rescue Teams and medical teams have been deployed at strategic and vulnerable locations to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
District police chiefs of Doda, Udhampur and Kathua have been directed to maintain a seamless security grid, with special attention to Chattergalla and the Kathua-Doda border axis, officials said.
Directions were also issued to secure vulnerable points, maintain close coordination with the Army and Central Armed Police Forces, verify pony operators, porters and vendors, monitor nomadic movement and regulate pilgrim movement through designated routes and prescribed timings.
