Despite hostile weather conditions, a record number of over 20 thousand pilgrims converged to take a dip at Kailash Kund lake here on the last day of the annual Kailash Yatra today.
"It is a very encouraging sign for us that despite bad weather conditions since the last three days, more than 20,000 pilgrims converged at Kailash Kund. This clearly indicates there is an ample potential to showcase this ancient yatra as symbol of pilgrimage tourism of Bhaderwah valley," Chief Executive officer, Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA), Bal Krishan said.
"This will surely give a boost to our efforts to promote Bhaderwah as a major pilgrim destination," he said, adding the BDA will try to improve the facilities for pilgrims at the holy place.
The holy mace of serpent god, which started from ancient Nag temple of Gatha was joined on the way by half a dozen charris from different parts of the state, including Bhalessa, Basant Garh, Bani, Duddu, Billawar and Mathola.
After having night halts at Hayan and Ramtund on 29th and 30th respectively during the 21-km-long stretch, the pilgrims today reached Kailash Kund where they took a bathe in an ice-cold water of the high altitude lake to have blessings of Lord Shiva and Vasuki Nag.
The Kund is a vast lake of cold and crystal clear water of 1.5 mile circumference and is situated at the height of 14,500 feet above from the sea level.
According to the local tradition, the lake was the original abode of Shiva, but gave it to Vasuki Nag and himself went to live at Manmahesh in Bharmod in Himachal Pradesh.
After performing the age-old rituals, the charri reached back to Bhaderwah this evening where it was received by hundreds of enthusiastic followers of Lord Vasuki Nag at Vasuk Dera.
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