Three-day Kailash Yatra starts with limited number of devotees in J-K’s Bhaderwah

The three-day-long pilgrimage to the 14,700 ft excessive Kailash Kund commenced right here Saturday with a restricted variety of devotees accompanying the holy mace for the second consecutive 12 months on account of COVID-19 outbreak, officers mentioned. The ‘Charri Mubarak’ (holy mace) was taken out from 2100-year-old Vasuki Nag Temple at Gatha round 8.30 am and was joined by one other mace from Vasuki Nag Temple Vasik Dhera Bhadarwah, officers mentioned.

Former MLC Naresh Kumar Gupta and senior chief Mast Nath Yogi additionally participated within the rituals related with the traditional yatra at Vasik Dhera.

A superb variety of ‘Nag devotees’ see off the holy mace of Kailash Yatra amidst strict adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour, officers mentioned.

Hundreds of devotees from throughout the nation used to participate within the annual yatra which was hit by COVID-19. The administration determined to permit solely the holy mace to proceed in direction of Kailash kund for the second consecutive 12 months.

Extra Deputy Commissioner, Bhadarwah, Rakesh Kumar mentioned tight safety preparations had been made for the peaceable conduct of the yatra.

‘Charri Mubarak’ would attain the excessive altitude lake on Monday morning and the accompanying devotees would carry out the standard prayers there.

“Attributable to COVID-19 risk, solely holy Mace has been allowed to maneuver in direction of Kailash Kund. We hope that Vasuki Nag will treatment all our issues and vanish COVID-19 an infection,” Gupta mentioned.

In keeping with native perception, Kailash Kund was the unique abode of lord Shiva, however he gave it to Vasuki Nag earlier than transferring to Manmahesh in Bharmour space of Himachal Pradesh.

The pilgrimage, which commences on the 14th day after ‘Shravan Purnima’, is taken into account as one of many hardest as pilgrims need to trek 21 Km steep Kailash mountains vary to achieve the holy Kund (lake), the place devotees take a dip within the ice-cold water to take the blessings of serpent God, Gupta mentioned.