Second batch of Mani Mahesh Yatra leaves

Pilgrims leaving for Mani Mahesh Shrine from Bhadarwah on Wednesday. — Excelsior/Tilak Raj
Pilgrims leaving for Mani Mahesh Shrine from Bhadarwah on Wednesday. — Excelsior/Tilak Raj

Excelsior Correspondent

BHADARWAH, Aug 29: The second batch of ancient Mani Mahesh Yatra left Bhadarwah along with holy mace for onward journey to the holy shrine of Mani Mahesh in Bharmod of Himachal Pradesh today.
A group of 500 devotees from villages Manthla, Malani, Duggi, Dandi, Kansar, Dhossa Pani, Dalain, Dhamunda and Thubba carrying holy maces proceeded from Lakshmi Narayan Temple Bhadarwah to Bheja village, where they will stay for the night and then proceed further towards the shrine in Himachal Pradesh.
It is important to mention here that devotees proceed towards Mani Mahesh Yatra via Bhadarwah-Padri-Chamba route on foot and during the pilgrimage, the pilgrims of second batch will reach for its 1st night stay at Bheja village from where early in the morning, the yatra will proceed to its next stay at Padri Meadows and after that they will reach Himachal for their next stay.
However, another group of pilgrims will leave with holly mace on Janam Ashtami.
Beside local administration, the pilgrims were seen off by Mast Nath Yogi and President Santan Dharam Sabha Ved Kumar Kotwal who also joined the holy mace till Sungli village.
Meanwhile, adequate security arrangements were made by administration for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra.