Manimahesh Yatra to be ritualistic this year

Recently the decision has been taken in the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet meeting regarding the organisation of Shri Manimahesh Yatra, the pilgrimage would be organised only in a ritualistic manner even though the current situation of Covid-19 pandemic in the state had improved, to curb its spread in check, it was necessary to take precautions and impose restrictions.

For this, necessary instructions had been issued by the district administration to all the officials concerned regarding the yatra to be organized observing the standard operating procedures (SoPs) to prevent infection.

The Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district is scheduled from August 30 (Janmashtami) to September 13 (Radhashtami).

About Manimahesh Yatra

The Manimahesh Lake is situated Twenty-six kilometers from Bharmour in the Budhil valley , one of the chief pilgrimage spots in Himachal Pradesh.

The lake is situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet at the foot of the Kailash peak (18,564 ft). Every year, on the eighth day of the light half of the moon in the month of Bhadon, a fair is held at this lake, which attracts thousands of pilgrims who assemble here to take a dip in the holy water.

Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this fair / jatra. He is believed to reside in Kailash. A rock formation in the shape of a Shivling on Kailash is considered to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva. The snowfield at the base of the mountain is called Shiva’s Chaugan by the local people.