Rains Disrupt Shrikhand Yatra – 2014
Belying the forecast of a weak monsoon
season, heavy rains took a toll of the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra – 2014
as the Kullu administration decided to suspend it for the year.
The decision to suspend the tough pilgrimage ascending to over 18,500 feet was taken after death of five pilgrims was reported.
With the weather
conditions deteriorating, landslides occurring on the route fear
unforeseen danger of melting glaciers causing calamities, the
administration was forced to call of the pilgrimage.
The 32 Km route has been blocked at
several places by landslides and avalanches. The peak and its
surroundings have received unusual snow for this time of the year.
It has been raining continuously for
days, which has caused a drastic drop in the temperature. The yatra was
officially scheduled from 16th July to 25th July.
The Shrikhand Mahadev yatra is considered to be one of the toughest pilgrimages in North India. The broken or khandit lingam of Lord Shiva is located at an altitude of 18,500 feet.
Every year the government issues public
notices, that only the physically fit and those accustomed to tough
terrains should embark on this journey. Already five people have died
this year due to extreme cold and low oxygen levels.
The decision to suspend the yatra was taken on 19th July, after the successful completion of a massive rescue operation to save 400 trapped pilgrims.
Mr. Rakesh Kanwar, deputy commissioner, Kullu, stated that the yatra had become too risky.
He said that his rescue teams had
reported that there were many points on the route that could pose life
threatening danger to the pilgrims.
So bad was the condition this year that people organizing langars and camping facilities have also closed shop.
The government has forewarned that all
individuals who choose to undertake the journey will do so at their own
responsibility, and the administration will not be held responsible in
case of a mishap.
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