Shrikhand Mahadev yatra in Kullu begins

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 15

The Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, considered to be one of the toughest pilgrimages, started in Kullu district on Sunday. It will conclude on July 31

The yatra was flagged off by SDM, Anni, Chet Singh from the Singhad base camp. Nearly 200 devotees were present on the occasion.

The 35-km track begins from the Nirmand block in Kullu district and ends at 1,8000-foot-high Shrikhand. It takes nearly six days to complete the pilgrimage.

The SDM said, “The district administration has set up five base camps on the way to Shrikhand Mahadev starting from Nirmand, Singhad, Thachru, Kunsha, Bheemdwari and Parvati Bagh. Medical staff, police and Home Guard personnel have been deployed to provide emergency services to the pilgrims.”

He said only physically fit pilgrims were being allowed to move ahead from the Singhad base camp, where a medical team had been deployed. “We are taking all precautions as several casualties were reported in the past due to high-altitude sickness” he added.

The SDM said those who wanted to undertake the pilgrimage had been directed to ensure their registration at the base camp and get the physical fitness test done before moving ahead.

“Pilgrims have been advised to walk in group and move slowly on the vertical path. In case of breathlessness, they have been told to report to the nearby camp for the first-aid,” the SDM said.

He urged the pilgrims to avoid shortcuts as it could be risky. He asked them to use only those tracks for walking that had been specified by the district administration.

He asked the pilgrims to avoid journey during night hours and do not leave their companions alone on the way. DSP, Ani, Rohit said adequate police force had been deployed to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims.

What The legend says...

• The 72-foot-high lingam of Shrikhand Mahadev is similar to that of Amarnath. It attracts a large number of pilgrims every year. The legend has it that a demon named Bhasmasur pleased Lord Shiva through hard penance.  
• Lord Shiva asked him to ask for a boon. Bhasmasura then asked that he be granted the power that anyone whose head he touched with his hand should burn. When granted, Bhasmasura chased the lord to test the power. 
• The lord vanished into the cave and appeared on the top of the mountain in the form of 72-foot rock Shvalingam. Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, appeared in front of Bhasmasura and tricked him into touching his own head which turned him into ashes.