Devotees take Chhota Nhaun at Nagdal

Dharamsala, August 26

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The traditional ‘Chhari Yatra’, which started after devotees paid their obeisance at the Bhagsunag temple on Sunday, after crossing Indrahara pass on the Kangra-Chamba border, reached Nagdal today.

The pilgrimage included a three-day trek covering 25 km, a prayer meeting and ‘Chhota Nhaun’, a dip in the Nagdal lake located in the picturesque Dhauladhar ranges, seen standing majestically from Dharamsala.

Though the pilgrim group that started from the temple numbered around 100, it is estimated that some 1,000 odd devotees took the holy dip at Nagdal. The water of Bhagsunag is believed to have originated from the Nagdal lake.

Prem Sagar, a mountaineer and a resident of the area, while talking to The Tribune said, “With this holy dip at Nagdal on Janmashtami, the devotees will head for the ‘Bada Nhaun’ at Manimahesh, and it would continue till Radhaashtami. Thereafter, the Dal lake at Naddi in Mcleodganj, also known as Mini-Manimahesh, will enliven and play host to a popular fair commencing on September 11.”

Dharamsala tehsildar and Bhagsunag temple officer Giriraj Thakur, while talking to The Tribune, said, “Efforts are being made by the administration to popularise and support the historic pilgrimage to attain a status equivalent to that of the famous Manimahesh, Kinnar Kailash and Srikhand Mahadev pilgrimages.”

According to him, in the next meeting of the temple trust of the Bhagsunag temple, a detailed proposal for the same is likely to be discussed. This year, adequate security arrangements and other facilities, including a free langar, were arranged by the administration.