Kailash Kund Yatra in Doda: A Symbolic Pilgrimage Amidst Weather Woes

The Kailash Kund Yatra in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, has been curtailed to symbolic rituals this year due to adverse weather conditions and recent cloudbursts. Officials urge pilgrims to refrain from participating, emphasizing safety amidst forecasts predicting inclement weather over the coming days.

The Kailash Kund Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, originally set to commence on Wednesday, has been shortened to symbolic rituals due to recent cloudburst incidents and an adverse weather forecast. This development was confirmed by a senior government official on Tuesday.

Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh has advised pilgrims against attending the annual yatra, renowned for attracting thousands of devotees. The pilgrimage to the 14,700-foot-high Kailash Kund is notably challenging, involving an 18-kilometer trek up the steep Kailash mountain range to a temple where devotees take a dip in the ice-cold lake known as 'Kund' to honor deity Vasuki Nag.

The decision to curtail the yatra was taken unanimously after meetings with organizers, Singh disclosed. Given recent tragedies—64 people, mostly pilgrims, perished, and 39 others went missing in Kishtwar's Chisoti village due to flash floods and cloudbursts, while seven died in Kathua—only those performing symbolic rituals and the supporting staff, equipped with special registration cards, will partake. Singh stressed the importance of monitoring the 56-hour weather forecast to ensure safety measures are activated promptly if needed.

(With inputs from agencies.)