For devotees of Lord Shiva, the call of faith is set to resonate once again through the mist-covered peaks of Himachal Pradesh. The revered Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, regarded as one of northern India’s most challenging pilgrimages, will begin on July 10 and continue until July 23.
Perched at an extraordinary altitude of 18,750 feet above sea level, the sacred shrine of Shrikhand Mahadev — marked by the towering 72-foot Shivalingam — lies deep in the Himalayas. The pilgrimage is a test not only of physical endurance but also of unwavering devotion. Every year, thousands of Shiva devotees brave steep climbs, rugged terrain and unpredictable conditions to seek blessings at this divine Himalayan abode.
Ahead of this year’s yatra, the Shrikhand Yatra Trust held a key coordination meeting at the Nirmand Committee hall. The meeting was chaired via video conference by trust president and Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma, with senior officials from various departments participating to finalise preparations. Trust founder member and Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation Chairman Budhi Singh Thakur was among those present, along with other departmental representatives.
The administration has prioritised pilgrim safety with extensive arrangements along the route. Nirmand SDM Jagdeep Singh Rathore said medical teams, revenue officials, police personnel, forest department staff and specialised rescue teams would be deployed at critical points. The Jal Shakti Department has also been instructed to ensure sufficient drinking water facilities at all camping locations.
To streamline the challenging journey, the entire yatra route has been divided into six sectors. Five base camps will be set up at Singhgad, Thachdu, Kunsha, Bhim Dawari and Parvati Bagh. Each sector will have dedicated sector magistrates, police teams, mountaineering personnel and officials from different departments. Additional safety support will come from 18 SDRF personnel and 24 rescue workers from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (AVIMAS).
To assist pilgrims, particularly those travelling from outside the state, an online registration portal will soon be introduced, along with limited offline registration facilities. The administration has also begun installing signboards and information panels along the route for better guidance.
Keeping alive centuries-old traditions, devotees will first offer prayers to Mata Chalashni, the presiding deity of the region, at Jaon village before beginning the arduous 35-kilometre trek to Shrikhand Mahadev.
With preparations underway, thousands of devotees are set to embark on this extraordinary spiritual journey — a pilgrimage where faith rises above the clouds and reaches into the heart of the Himalayas.
