Dipender Manta
Tribune News Service
Mandi, July 15
The Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, considered to be one of the toughest pilgrimages, started in Kullu district on Sunday. It will conclude on July 31
The yatra was flagged off by SDM, Anni, Chet Singh from the Singhad base camp. Nearly 200 devotees were present on the occasion.
The 35-km track begins from the Nirmand block in Kullu district and ends at 1,8000-foot-high Shrikhand. It takes nearly six days to complete the pilgrimage.
The SDM said, “The district administration has set up five base camps on the way to Shrikhand Mahadev starting from Nirmand, Singhad, Thachru, Kunsha, Bheemdwari and Parvati Bagh. Medical staff, police and Home Guard personnel have been deployed to provide emergency services to the pilgrims.”
He said only physically fit pilgrims were being allowed to move ahead from the Singhad base camp, where a medical team had been deployed. “We are taking all precautions as several casualties were reported in the past due to high-altitude sickness” he added.
The SDM said those who wanted to undertake the pilgrimage had been directed to ensure their registration at the base camp and get the physical fitness test done before moving ahead.
“Pilgrims have been advised to walk in group and move slowly on the vertical path. In case of breathlessness, they have been told to report to the nearby camp for the first-aid,” the SDM said.
He urged the pilgrims to avoid shortcuts as it could be risky. He asked them to use only those tracks for walking that had been specified by the district administration.
He asked the pilgrims to avoid journey during night hours and do not leave their companions alone on the way. DSP, Ani, Rohit said adequate police force had been deployed to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims.
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