No Manimahesh Yatra this year due to Covid

lkrishan Prashar

Bharmour, July 15

In the wake of Covid pandemic, famous Sri Manimahesh Yatra in Bharmour tribal region of Chamba district will not be held this year. All the religious traditions and customs, however, will be performed in a limited way with due caution.

This decision was taken after discussions between official and non-official members of Sri Manimahesh Trust at a meeting of the trust presided over by local MLA Jia Lal Kapoor at Bharmour headquarters today.

Kapoor said all shrines in the state were closed and the number of coronavirus infected people was increasing in the state, due to which organising the yatra could be risky. The official and non-officials members of the trust also decided not to take any risk by organising the yatra.

For big and small shahi snan, only limited permission would be given by the Bharmour administration after issuing identify cards to three-three persons each from Chamba’s Dashnam Akhada, Charpat Nath and Chaurasi temple complex to move ahead to Manimahesh lake.

Besides, about 10 disciples of Lord Shiva would be given permission from Bharmour for onward journey to Manimahesh lake. They would be issued identity cards by the Bharmour administration.

Every year, Sri Manimahesh Yatra is held from Sri Krishna Janamashtami to Sri Radha Ashtami in the month of August.

It was also decided in the meeting that there would be a complete ban on pilgrimage activities up to Sri Manimahesh Lake. The administration would keep a close watch and not allow any type of shop en route yatra. Only local shopkeepers would be able to set up shops in Bharmour Chaurasi while there would be a complete ban on all businessmen coming from outside the area.

Bharmour ADM PP Singh, SDM Manish Soni, other officials and members of Sri Manimahesh Trust were also present in the meeting.