Sir,
These days yatra to Mani Mahesh, an abode of Lord Shiva, in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh is at full swing and will culminate on second of sept. 2014. The yatris from district Udhampur, Kathua, Reasi, Doda and other places of Bhaderwah, Kishtwar take their route to Mani Mahesh via Basohli. Dozens of Jam packed buses with yatris inside and the sheep for sacrifice on the roof reach Basohli daily. From Basohli they travel 80 Kms. On the way to Chamba, there is a place called Mashka-a place where Chamera power project is situated in Himachal Pardesh. They cross river Ravi at Mashka and finally leave for their destination.
It is pertinent to mention here that the shortest road from Shara to Mashka, being an important road, is damaged at many places and is in miserable condition where vehicular traffic is not considered safe in any case. Repair and proper maintenance of the Shara to Mashka road will not only facilitate and shorten the journey to Mani Mahesh yatris but will also facilitate the natives of Hutt, Draman, Plahi villages who remain marooned in their villages due the dilapidated condition of the road. It is worth mentioning here that the Shara to Mashka road falls under NHPC which looks after Sewa hydel projects at Mashka. Many times the NHPC and the State Government have been apprised about the condition of the road of so much importance but alas all these have fallen flat on the ears of the concerned quarters.
Inspite of the fact that this yatra is taking place amidst shouting and chanting of Bhajans through the public address system but neither the local nor the District administration is taking the yatra seriously. There is no police assistance, medical help, drinking water facility being provided to the yatris by the local or district administration.
The negligence of this most important yatra indicates that authorities do not consider the Mani Mahesh yatra as important as others in the state which hurts the religious sentiments of the pilgrims visiting the abode of Lord Shiva in Himalayas. The state government is requested to take notice of the problems of the pilgrims and help repair the Shara-Mashka road and provide all those facilities which are being provided to other yatris in the state.
Yours etc…
Shiv Kmar Padha
Basohli
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel