‘Adi Kailash’ yatra 2024 starts
‘Adi Kailash’ yatra 2024 starts
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, May 14
The pilgrimage to ‘Adi Kailash’ peak has started on May 13 after the temple of ‘Lord Shiva’ and his consort ‘Parwati’ opened for this summer season, according to Vijay Nath Shukla, General Manager of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN).
The first batch of 49 pilgrims, including 32 men and 17 women from different part of the country, reached the base camp of yatra at Dharchula today.
Meanwhile, the temple of ‘Lord Shiva’ and goddess ‘Parwati’ , situated at a height of 18500 feet high at Jolingkong peak of Vyans valley, was opened on Monday with ‘Rung’ tribal tradition.”Over 200 pilgrims, besides the women of Kuti village were present on the occasion of opening of temple for the year,” said Gopal Singh Kutiyal, chief priest of the temple.
‘Adi Kailash’ and ‘Parwati Lake’ came into prominence as original abode of ‘Lord Shiva’ after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the place on October 12, last year.
‘Adi Kailash’ is being presented as original abode of ‘Lord Shiva’ after China refused to open ‘Kailash Mansarowar yatra’ after 2020.”The faith on ‘Lord Shiva’ has not reduced even after China refused to open Lipulekh pass from its side after 2020, as the bookings for ‘Adi Kailash’ is on rise ,” said Dinesh Gururani, incharge of KMVN camp in Pithoragarh.
According to itinerary of yatra this year, the seven days yatra batches will have stays at Pithoragarh, Dharchula, Gunji (2 nights), Bundi, Chaukori and Bhimtal.”The pilgrims batches will leave for New Delhi from Kathgodam on 8th day,” said Dhan Singh Bisht, incharge of KMVN base camp at Dharchula.
According to Bisht, over 500 pilgrims from across the country have booked for yatra this year till date.”The present phase of ‘Adi Kailash yatra’ will run for two months of May and June. It will remain closed during monsoon months of July and August and will resume from September till November,” said the base camp incharge.
Meanwhile, several pilgrims are undertaking the ‘Adi Kailash’, ‘Parwati Tal’ and ‘Om Parvat yatra’ on their own after the administration started giving inner lines permits to individuals for the yatra from May 2, this year.”We have issued more than 1000 inner line permits to pilgrims and tourists till date from May 2, this year,” said Manjit Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dharchula.