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NEW DELHI: Citing safety concerns amid ongoing inclement weather in J&K and two back-to-back cloudburst tragedies in Kishtwar and Kathua districts, the Doda district administration has curtailed the three-day Kailash Kund Yatra in Bhaderwah from Aug 20-22 to only symbolic rituals this year.Kailash Kund Yatra is considered one of the toughest treks, wherein pilgrims cover an 18km steep uphill journey in the Kailash mountain range to reach a temple dedicated to the serpent deity, Vasuki Nag, and take a dip in the ice-cold Kailash Kund to seek blessings. A ceremonial procession of Chhari (mace) is an integral part of the pilgrimage.“Chhari Mubarak will accompany the prescribed group of yatris for a symbolic Kailash Kund Yatra, ensuring rituals are performed. Women and children are not permitted to participate this year due to safety concerns. Every pilgrim must carry a valid ID card issued by the district administration,” Doda deputy commissioner Harvinder Singh said.Singh said the Chattergala route was off-limits for pilgrims due to unsafe terrain and large nallahs. “The Yatra will proceed only via the traditional routes of Sungli, Nalthi, and Drafda (Bhalla) in Bhaderwah,” he added. Stressing that the safety of devotees was govt’s top priority, Singh assured that the administration, police, health, and disaster management teams would extend all possible assistance. He urged pilgrims not to try to join the yatra and recommended that they adhere to the advisory.At least 64 people have so far died in a catastrophic cloudburst-triggered flash flood that hit Kishtwar’s Chasoti, the last village on the Machhail Mata pilgrimage trail last week. Hundreds of devotees had been camping in the village, most on their return journey, when tragedy struck on Aug 14.Three days later, flash floods and landslides following a cloudburst and torrential rains killed seven people, including five minors, in Kathua’s Rajbagh-Ghati area on Aug 17.
