Chamba/Shimla, Sept 2: Himachal Pradesh: Sixteen pilgrims have died so far during this year’s Manimahesh Yatra, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told the state assembly on Monday, including four at Kugti pass whose bodies are yet to be recovered due to adverse weather conditions.
“The administration has arranged 20 porters, and once the weather improves, the bodies will be brought down,” Sukhu said, adding that the four youths at Kugti succumbed to hypothermia and low oxygen levels.
The annual pilgrimage, which began on August 16 and traditionally concludes on August 31, was temporarily suspended on August 25 following heavy rains and landslides. This year’s disruption also broke the tradition of “Dal Thodna,” a concluding ritual at the glacial Manimahesh Lake, where priests and devotees cross from one end to another. While priests from Sanchui village attempted to complete the ritual, they were unable to reach the lake due to monsoon-triggered devastation.
The Manimahesh Yatra is a fortnight-long trek to the glacier-fed Manimahesh Lake in Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district. Pilgrims start from Hadsar at 1,829 metres and climb 14 km to the lake, situated at 4,085 metres. The pilgrimage, dedicated to Lord Shiva, culminates with a holy dip at the lake and a view of Mount Kailash, believed to be the deity’s abode. The trek is considered as challenging as the Amarnath Yatra.
Sukhu said that of the 15,000 stranded pilgrims, 10,000 have been evacuated, with 500 more expected to be airlifted once weather conditions improve. “Buses and taxis have already been deployed to evacuate the pilgrims,” he added.
The Chief Minister shared these details while replying to a query raised by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, who had expressed concern over conflicting reports on the number of pilgrims and deaths.
Relief and rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing, Sukhu said, with over 10,000 people—including 5,067 Manimahesh Yatra devotees—evacuated using free HRTC buses. The government has deployed 40 NDRF and 40 SDRF personnel, along with local mountaineering teams from Manali. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi has been stationed in Bharmour and has trekked on foot to the worst-hit areas to assist in the operations.
