Tapt Kund’ — deemed to be deified with Goddess Parvati — which is the final motor halt along Kedarnath pilgrimage remains in dire straits since the 2013 deluge with nobody who matters being least bothered to put things back on the track.
The reason to worry is that neither the State Government that is now flaunting its achievements in ensuring perfect infrastructure for the celebrated pilgrimages nor the BKTC shows any concern about the hot spring where the pilgrims used to bathe before the calamity had struck.
Now, what is left is yellowish water flowing through it. Things are grim as the spring is surrounded by heaps of garbage. According to scriptures, Goddess Parvati had bathed there. Apart from refreshing the pilgrims, the water of the spring was said to cure several diseases.
Now, as things stand, a tap has been connected with the water sources and the pilgrims use it for bathing. Kedarnath Teerth purohit Pasupati Nath Bagwadi said bathing in the pond and paying obeisance to Goddess Parvati mark the beginning of Kedarnath pilgrimage.
“It tells a sad story that this holy spring has remained where the great deluge had left it in June 2013,” he said. “If things continue like this, the pilgrimage would be reduced to insignificance in terms of spirituality,” he commented.