- विज्ञापन -
Shimla, July 10: Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, one of the most difficult religious pilgrimages in the world, has started from today in Himachal Pradesh. The first batch of devotees of Lord Shiva left for Shrikhand at 5 am today. It will reach Shrikhand on 12th July. From tomorrow, Friday, a batch of 800 devotees will be sent to Shrikhand every day.
During this yatra, food distribution will be organised at various places for the devotees. Base camps have been set up at 5 places for their stay and health checkup. After passing the health checkup and fitness test in these camps, the devotees will be sent on the Shrikhand Yatra.
Before going on this yatra, which will continue till 23rd July, passing the fitness test and registration will be mandatory, because this yatra is considered to be one of the most dangerous trekking religious yatras in the world. In this, devotees have to walk on a 32 km narrow and dangerous path.
There is a lack of oxygen beyond Parvati Bagh
Devotees of Lord Bhole have to cross 4 ice glaciers and rocky mountains. Since the peak of Shrikhand is at a height of 18 thousand 570 feet above sea level, there is a lack of oxygen here. Due to this, many devotees have to return without darshan. This problem is more in some areas ahead of Parvati Bagh.
Shrikhand is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva
It is believed that Lord Shiva resides on the peak of Shrikhand. There is a 72 feet high Shivling in the form of a rock here. After reaching here, the devotees do parikrama and worship it. This gives them the desired results and their wishes are fulfilled. A large number of devotees of Lord Bhole from all over the country reach Shrikhand every year.
Belief of devotees regarding Shrikhand
According to a legend, a demon named Bhasmasur performed severe penance to please Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared before Bhasmasur after being pleased, he asked for a boon from Lord Shiva that whoever’s head he places his hand on will turn into ashes. Bhasmasur took this boon to gain victory over the gods.
Bhasmasur, out of arrogance, started thinking of himself as God and started chasing Lord Shiva to burn him to ashes in order to get Shiva’s wife Parvati. Then Lord Shiva came to Shrikhand. After this, Lord Vishnu took the form of a beautiful woman and fascinated Bhasmasur. Vishnu Ji, who was in the form of a woman, asked Bhasmasur to dance and during the dance, Bhasmasur put his hand on his own head and that was his end.
How to reach Shrikhand?
Devotees of Bhole who want to go to Shrikhand will have to come from Rampur in Shimla district via Nirmand in Kullu to Bagipul and Jao. One can reach here by car or bus. The distance from Shimla to Rampur is 130 km, Rampur to Nirmand is 17 km, Nirmand to Bagipul is 17 km and Bagipul to Jao is 12 km. From here onwards, one has to cover a distance of 32 km on foot.
What can pilgrims see on the way?
During the Shrikhand Yatra, there are many picturesque places on the way including Parvati Bagh, Bhim Dwar, Nain Sarovar, Bhim Bahi, Thachru, Barati Nala. There is a flower garden in Parvati Bagh, where the fragrance of flowers mesmerizes everyone. There are also many types of herbs on the way.
A large number of devotees from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu also reach here to visit Shrikhand Mahadev.
Administration’s preparations for Shrikhand Yatra are complete
SDM Nirmand Manmohan Sharma said that all preparations have been made for the Shrikhand Yatra. The road has been completely built. He said that the Shrikhand Trust Committee and the Kullu district administration have built five base camps in Singhgad, Thachru, Kunsha, Bhim Dwar and Parvati Bagh to facilitate the journey. These base camps will not only have arrangements for accommodation and food, but there will also be arrangements for health checkups.
Apart from sector magistrates and police officers or in-charges accompanying them, medical staff and rescue teams have also been deployed. There will be provision of medicines and oxygen here. Private tents have been arranged for stay and langars have been set up at various places by the trust for food.
SDM said: Only 800 devotees will be sent
Manmohan Sharma said that so far more than 5 thousand devotees have registered online for the Shrikhand Yatra. A large number of people also register for it on the spot. For this, the pilgrims have to pay a registration fee of Rs 250. He said that this time only 800 devotees will be sent on the Yatra daily.
