Yatra suspended as repairs continue
The Chamba district administration has suspended the annual Manimahesh Yatra till August 25, citing route damage from heavy rainfall and the safety of devotees. Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal said repair work is underway on the pilgrimage route near Tos Ke Goth, where the track was damaged following heavy rain. The yatra is expected to resume from August 26, subject to favourable weather and restoration of damaged stretches.
"The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of devotees travelling to the holy Manimahesh Lake," Repaswal said. He urged pilgrims to avoid the route during the suspension period and adhere to guidelines issued by the administration.
The annual yatra, a fortnight-long pilgrimage to the glacier-fed Manimahesh Lake in Bharmour subdivision, typically draws devotees who trek to the lake to offer prayers and catch a glimpse of Mount Kailash, regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva. The official yatra is scheduled to commence on September 4 (Janmashtami) and formally conclude on September 19 (Radhashtami). However, pilgrims from different states traditionally begin undertaking the pilgrimage through various routes well before the official start, leading the administration to suspend the entire route.
The suspension draws lessons from last year's devastating flash-floods, which triggered one of the largest rescue operations in the history of the yatra, as per the administration. This year's measures include mandatory online registration, a daily cap on pilgrim numbers, drone surveillance, and closure of the traditional parikrama route via Kugti village.
Security measures and deployment
More than 1,000 police and Home Guard personnel will be deployed along the Manimahesh Yatra route this year, announced Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal on Saturday. Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Saklani said around 1,000 police and Home Guard personnel had been proposed for deployment. A main communication control room will be established at the Bharmour sub-division headquarters to ensure effective coordination and communication among departments.
The pilgrimage route will be divided into security sectors covering Karian to Dharwala, Dharwala to Khadamukh, Khadamukh to Sawanpur, Sawanpur to Patti Nullah, Patti Nala to Hadsar, Hadsar to Dhancho, and Gauri Kund to Dal Lake. Alternative routes used by local residents will also be included in the security arrangements according to Saklani.
The Deputy Commissioner directed officials to deploy sector magistrates, closely monitor pilgrims, regulate heavy vehicle movement, and ensure availability of necessary equipment in vulnerable areas. Volunteers will be deployed along the route from Hadsar to Dal Lake.
Restrictions and daily limits
Night movement restrictions are in place: pilgrims cannot move from Mehla onwards between 11 pm and 4 am, and from Hadsar to the holy Manimahesh Dal between 7 pm and 4 am. A daily limit of 5,000 devotees is permitted during the official pilgrimage period, which may be increased on the opening and closing days depending on the situation and arrangements. Pilgrims coming from outside Himachal Pradesh are prohibited from undertaking the Manimahesh parikrama trek via Kugti without prior permission from the district administration.
The administration is continuously monitoring weather conditions and route conditions to ensure safe pilgrimage, Deputy Commissioner Repaswal said.
Broader rain impact
Moderate to heavy rains disrupted normal life across Himachal Pradesh, with 125 roads blocked, 20 water supply schemes, and 33 electricity distribution transformers disrupted, according to the State Emergency Operations Centre. Torrential rains on Saturday night near Chamda Bend caused the collapse of the road's retaining wall, halting heavy vehicle movement, though light vehicles were restored by morning. SDM Padhar Surjit Singh Thakur inspected the site with an NHAI team, and a complete ban has been imposed on heavy vehicles on the Chamda Bend section, with buses and other heavy vehicles diverted via alternative routes.