![Devotees of annual Mani Mahesh Yatra leaving Bhaderwah for the pilgrimage in Bharmour, HP. -Excelsior/Tilak Raj Devotees of annual Mani Mahesh Yatra leaving Bhaderwah for the pilgrimage in Bharmour, HP. -Excelsior/Tilak Raj](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Page3-4-10-696x444.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Aug 18: The first batch of annual Mani Mahesh Yatra with holy Mace (Chhari Mubarak) left Bhaderwah for onward journey to the holy shrine of Mani Mahesh in Bharmour district in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday afternoon.
The Chhari Yatra commenced from Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Bhaderwah where since morning the devotees started assembling from different parts of Chenab valley and after taking breakfast and lunch there, they proceeded towards Mani Mahesh.
A group of about 200 devotees departed from Lakshmi Narayan Temple to Bheja village where the pilgrims will stay for a night and then proceed further towards the shrine in HP.
It is pertinent to mention here that devotees proceed towards Mani Mahesh via Bhaderwah-Padri-Chamba route on foot and will reach for its 1st night stay at Bheja village and on August 19 early in the morning the Yatra will proceed to its next stay at Padri meadows after which it will enter Himachal.
However, another group of pilgrims will leave on Nag Panchami in buses.
The pilgrims were seen off by the administration and people from all walks of life who prayed for the successful pilgrimage.
Adequate security arrangements and other facilities were made in advance by the administration for the smooth conduct of pilgrimage.
Free Langars have been installed by various devotees en-route the holy shrine.
Mani Mahesh lake situated in Himalayas, is a high altitude lake and the Mani Mahesh Kailash peak that stands high close to the lake is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
During pilgrimage numerous night-shelters and eateries spring up along the trekking route and also at village Dhanshow, about 6 km from Hadsar, on way to Mani Mahesh.