Chamba, July 17 ( QNN)
The pilgrimage to the glacial-fed Manimahesh Lake, dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at an altitude of 13,500 feet in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, scheduled next month is cancelled owing to the corona virus pandemic. The officials said that this year the fortnight-long pilgrimage was planned from August 11.
All religious traditions and customs relating to the pilgrimage will be performed in a limited symbolic manner, said local administration.
The decision to cancel the pilgrimage was taken at a meeting of the Sri Manimahesh Trust at Bharmour in Chamba district on Wednesday.
For “shahi snan”, only limited permission would be given to three-four people each from Chamba’s Dashnam Akhada, Charpat Nath and Chaurasi temple complex to proceed towards the Manimahesh Lake. people trek to the lake in the Barbour Valley to catch a glimpse of Mount Kailash every year, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, and offer prayers. The journey starts from 6,000 feet in Hadsar. It was believed that the devotees could view Mount Kailash only if the Lord has blessed. If the peak was hidden behind clouds, it was sign of the lord’s unhappiness as believed.