Uttarakhand welcomes first ever batch of ‘Manskhand’ pilgrims
Uttarakhand welcomes first ever batch of ‘Manskhand’ pilgrims
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, April 24
The first ever batch of 274 ‘Manaskhand’ pilgrims were welcomed by Tourism department officials on reaching Khatima railway station by a special train named ‘Manaskhand Express’ today. The batch was part of the ‘Manaskhand’ tour package being managed by Uttarakhand tourism department in collaboration with IRCTC of railways.
“The first-ever batch of ‘Manaskhand’ pilgrims, who are reached here in a special train named, ‘Manaskhand Express’, were welcomed by Uttarakhand tourist department officers at Khatima railway station near Tanakpur,” said Arvind Gaur, District Tourist Officer, Champawat.
The first batch of pilgrims to ‘Manaskhand’ temples of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand was flagged off from Pune with fanfare on April 22.
“The 6 nights 7 days first ever ‘Manaskhand’ tourism package will take the pilgrims to Khatima, Tanakpur and Purnagiri on the first day, to temples of Champawat and Lohaghat on the second day, to Hat Kalika and Patal Bhubaneswar on 3rd day, Chaukori Jageswar and Chitai in Almora on 4th day, Kasar Devi Katarmal and Kainchi temples on 5th day, Nainital on 6th day and Nanakmatta on 7th day,” said the Champawat District Tourism Officer .
It will be a total 700 km long pilgrimage to selected ‘Manaskhand’ temples and religious places covering 6 nights and 7 days .” The tour will cover religious places situated in Champawat, Pithoragarh, Almora, Nainital and US Nagar districts described in ‘Manaskhand’ of ‘Skand Puran’,” said Champawat DTO.