‘Chhari yatra’ starts in Chamba

Our Correspondent

Chamba, August 22

“Chhari Yatra” of the famous Manimahesh pilgrimage started from Dashnam Akhada at the district headquarter town of Chamba today. It will culminate on Radhashtami (August 29) when pilgrims and devotees of Lord Shiva take a holy dip in the sacred Manimahesh Lake at an altitude of 4,170 metres.

The pilgrims will start their return journey the same day after having a ‘darshan’ of Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, at an altitude of 5,656 metres.

Sadhus of the local Dashnam Akhada, Deputy Commissioner of Chamba Sudesh Mokhta, district officials and the local people accompanied the ‘chhari’ carrying the insignia of Manimahesh and the Trishul of Lord Shiva.

The holi yatra will halt at various places and reach the Manimahesh Lake on August 28 for a holy dip on August 29 morning.

Zero tolerance for traffic violators

In view of the safety and security of Manimahesh pilgrims, traffic rules are being implemented stringently in letter and spirit in Chamba district. People were told not to travel in goods vehicles and the police are ensuring ‘zero tolerance’ in this regard.

DSP Sagar Chander Sharma said today that strict vigil and close supervision was being kept on goods vehicles crossing the inter-state barriers set up at Lahru, Tunnuhatti and Khairi.

Meanwhile, Additional District Magistrate Vinay Dhiman has also issued instructions to the police not to allow pilgrims to travel in goods vehicles. He said the matter regarding pilgrims travelling in trucks had also been taken up with the J&K police.

The ADM said the police had also been deployed with heli-taxi operators. “The flights have been disturbed due the inclement weather for the past three days,” the ADM said.