MANALI: The 32-km uphill yatra to Shrikhand Mahadev at 17,150ft, one of the most difficult pilgrimages in the country, will officially start from July 11 to 24. This year, online registration along with a medical fitness certificate will be mandatory for pilgrims to be able to join the yatra. The yatra used to start after July 15 every year, but this year the Kullu administration has decided to start the yatra from July 11 itself.
As a large number of pilgrims have lost their lives during the past many years, strict rules have been made by the administration this year. To discuss the yatra, Kullu deputy commissioner Ashutosh Garg on Monday held a review meeting with the officials in Anni sub-division. “It was decided that five base camps will be established, besides deployment of rescue and medical teams. Small children will not be allowed in the yatra and participants are requested to wear proper shoes and clothes. A registration fee of Rs 200 will also be charged,” said one official.
Shrikhand yatra starts from Singhad at 6,000ft from sea level and ends at 17,150ft. Besides Himachal, most of the pilgrims come from Punjab, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Given the increasing popularity of Shrikhand yatra, the Himachal government has formed Shrikhand Yatra Trust and the pilgrimage is conducted under the supervision of Kullu administration. Officials have also claimed that a large number of people go on the pilgrimage without informing authorities, and this becomes an issue in case of an emergency.
