The annual 45-day pilgrimage to the Manimahesh Lake commenced today on eve of Janamashtami with religious fervour in the Bharmour tribal sub-division of Chamba district. About one lakh devotees are expecting to take dip in the icy waters of Manimahesh Lake. The pilgrimage will conclude September 23, the occasion of Sri ‘Radhashtami’.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Bharmour B.R. Kamal has assured that the elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the yatra which attracts lakhs of devotees of Lord Shiva from different parts of Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and other states,
He said adequate arrangements of tents for stay, regulation of traffic, parking lots, transit health centres, fuel, water, electricity and toilet have been made enroute to facilitate the pilgrims. ADM said that the use of intoxicants had been prohibited during the pilgrimage and ‘langar’ organisers and other such establishments had been asked to ensure cleanliness during the yatra. The Irrigation and Public Health Department had made arrangements to provide chlorinated water supply.
The holy Manimahesh Lake is located at an altitude of 4170 metres and have a ‘darshan’ of the Kailash Peak (5656 metres), considered the abode of Lord Shiva. There is no temple of Lord Shiva as such and the people worship the mountain peak as the God.
