Excelsior Correspondent
Bhaderwah, Aug 24: Hundreds of devotees joined the three-day annual Kailash Yatra here amid tight security arrangements, officials said.
The pilgrimage to the 14,700-feet-high Kailash Kund, depicting ancient Nag culture, was conducted in a restricted manner for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ‘Charri Mubarak’ (holy mace) was taken out from centuries-old Vasuki Nag Temple at Gatha around 8 am and was joined by another mace from Vasuki Nag Temple at Vasik Dhera in Bhaderwah town, marking the commencement of the yatra, the officials said.
They said former member of legislative council (MLC) Naresh Kumar Gupta and Veteran leader Mast Nath Yogi participated in the rituals connected with the ancient yatra at Vasik Dhera.
As a mark of respect towards other religions and to add symbolic gesture depicting the age-old communal harmony and mutual brotherhood, members of Muslim community turned up to see off the pilgrims at historic Seri Bazar.
Superintendent of Police, Bhaderwah, Aftab Alam Mir said strict security arrangements have been made for the peaceful conduct of the yatra.
Three-tier security involving police, paramilitary and army has been put in place all along the 21-km-long treacherous route for the safety of the pilgrims, he said.
The Charri Mubarak would reach the high-altitude lake on Friday morning and the accompanying devotees would perform the traditional prayers and have a holy dip in the ice-cold water there.
Varinder Singh Jamwal, Additional Secretary J&K Dharmarth Trust said that like every year the Trust this year too had put in place all the necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.
Arjun Singh, Coordinator J&K Dharmarth Trust along with Pujaris left along with Chhari Mubarak.
Meanwhile, the Three-Day Annual Kailash Kund pilgrimage commenced from Vasuki Nag Temple Dudu Udhampur.
The Charri Mubarak yatra was accompanied by a large number of pilgrims hailing from Dudu Basantgarh, Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Chenani and Ramnagar.
Sub -Divisional Magistrate, Kulraj Singh flagged off the pilgrims who gathered at the temple early morning amid chanting of bhajans and devotional slogans to become the part of the historical Kailash Kund Yatra.
The District Administration Udhampur has made elaborate arrangements of tents, temporary shelter and medicare facilities for the yatries en-route the holy lake for a comfortable pilgrimage.
Among others, Tehsildar Latti Marothi, Paramdeep Singh; Sarpanches/Panches and sectoral officers of different departments, besides Vasuki Nag Kailash Kund Committee members and a large number of devotees were present on the occasion.
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