Pandemic scare: Deity cancels visit to Lahaul villages

Tribune News Service

Mandi, October 25

Amid the Covid scare, Raja Ghepan, chief deity of the Lahaul valley, has cancelled his yatra in the valley this year. After three years, Raja Ghepan visits villages to bless his devotees. It takes him around three months to cover the valley.

Two days ago, his palanquin was decorated at Shashin where devotees were thronged in large numbers to pay obeisance to the deity.

For the past one month, Covid cases were on the rise in Lahaul Spiti, which forced kardars (caretakers) to take permission from Raja Gehpan to cancel his proposed visit.

Prem Lal, a resident of Lahaul, told The Tribune that he is the chief deity of the valley. According to the tradition, during the deity’s visit, villagers organise feasts to greet the deity.

“Sensing the Covid threat, the deity has decided to cancel his visit and returned to his abode after visiting the nearby villages,” he said. The Covid scare has scaled down the festival celebrations this year.