Uncertainty continues over resumption of the annual Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage that began this year from June 12 as officials concerned could not take a decision in this regard at a meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Keeping in view the prevailing weather conditions and mobility remaining restricted in the upper zones of Pithoragarh, the pigrimage is still kept on hold. However, there is a hope that the officials concerned may come up with a decision in the next meeting slated for July 23 to further discuss upon resumption of the aforesaid pilgrimage.
A meeting was held on Wednesday in which representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam( KMVN), ITBP were also present. But given the present rainy conditions no decision could be taken on the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, said D K Sharma, Divisional Manager, KMVN, while talking to The Pioneer.
But it was decided that a meeting would be held in this regard on July 23 where a decision could be taken over resumption of the pilgrimage depending on weather conditions, Sharma maintained. It may be recalled that following suspension of the said pilgrimage is due to the natural calamity that hit the State last month, the second batch of the pilgrims which was stranded at Almora for four days from June 16, returned back to Kathgodam on June 20.
After suspension of the pilgrimage, the officials fixed July 3 to decided upon the resumption of the pilgrimage. Though in the past too, the Kailash Mansarovar yatra had to be suspended on a few occasions, but this time the Government decided to suspend it at an initial stage, just after the first batch.
It is to note that this year the pilgrimage was started from June 12, while till last year it used to begin from June 1. At least 120 more pilgrims would be able to go on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage this year with addition of two more batches. Till last year only 16 batches i.e. 60 pilgrims in each batch, used to go on the pilgrimage.
The other change that was made to this pilgrimage was reduction in travel duration by at least two days. These changes have been made following the past experience and feedback received from the devotees, added the officials concerned of the KMVN. With increasing number of pilgrims from this year, the travel expenses of this holy pilgrimage have also been hiked this year from Rs 27,000 per head to Rs 32,000 per head, as the officials concerned of the KMVN said.
The pilgrimage of the Kailash Mansarovar commences from Delhi and is conducted under the overall supervision of the Ministry of External Affairs. The important pilgrimage route destinations include Kathgodam, Almora, Dharchula, Narayan Ashram, Sirkha, Gala, Bundi, Gunji, Nabhidhang, lipupass , Takulakot and then the holy shrine, Kailash Mansarovar.