On September 11, thousands of devotees participated in the three-day annual Kailash Yatra in Bhaderwah under heavy security, according to authorities.
Numerous Nag believers gathered at the 2072-year-old Vasuki Nag Temple Gatha, where the annual Kailash yatra’s Charri began.
DC Doda Vishesh Paul Mahajan, SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom, and ADC Dilmir Chowdhary led the procession as they chanted devotional songs for the local deity Vasuki Nag and Lord Shiva to the 14,700-foot-high Kailash Kund, which represents ancient Nag culture.
“While 35,000 worshippers visited the holy Kailash Kund last year, this year we have concurrently promoted the most difficult pilgrimage at the national and UT levels. DC Doda Vishesh Paul Mahajan expressed hope that this year’s numbers will rise from other states as well, including Jammu & Kashmir.
Around 9 am, the sacred mace (‘Charri Mubarak’) from the ages-old Vasuki Nag Temple at Gatha was brought out, followed by another mace from the Vasuki Nag Temple at Vasik Dhera in Bhaderwah town, signalling the start of the yatra. 12,000 worshippers were there.
