Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Aug 2: The first batch of ancient annual Manimahesh Yatra today left for onward journey towards the holy shrine in Bharmod district of Himachal Pradesh from Bhaderwah town.
The Yatra commenced from Lakshmi Narayan Temple situated at Mandir Bazaar Bhaderwah, where devotees started assembling since morning from different parts of Chenab Valley and after taking breakfast and lunch there, proceeded towards Manimahesh.
A group of about 2000 devotees departed from Lakshmi Narayan Temple Bhaderwah to Bheja village, where the pilgrims will stay for a night and then proceed further towards the shrine in Himachal Pradesh.
It is important to mention here that devotees proceeds towards Manimahesh Yatra via Bhaderwah-Padri-Chamba route on foot and during Yatra, pilgrims will reach for its 1st night stay at Bheja village and on 3rd of August early in the morning, the Yatra will proceed to its next stay at Padri Meadows and after that they will enter into Himachal for their next stay. However, another group of pilgrims will leave on Raksha Bandhan in buses.
“This is an ancient Yatra and a symbol of unique Nag culture. Despite motorable, road devotees still prefer to go on foot with the holy mace, which took a marathon 22 days to complete the pilgrimage,” said Ved Kumar Kotwal, president, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Bhadarwah.
The pilgrims were seen off by the administration and people from all walks of life, who prayed for the happy pilgrimage. Adequate security arrangement, drinking water facility, medicare and other facilities were made in advance by the administration for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the Yatra.
“We have deployed adequate columns of Police, SOG and CRPF with pilgrims beside some advance parties have also been deployed at half a dozen places from Bhadarwah to Khundi-Maral at Chamba border,” said SDPO, Bhadarwah Brijesh Sharma.
“Beside fool proof security arrangements, civil administration have also installed temporary tents at Bhejja, Padri and Bhadarwahi Goth for the pilgrims in view of continuous inclement weather conditions since last one week,” the SDPO added. Free langers have been installed by various devotees en-route to holy shrine Manimahesh.
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