‘Adi Amarnath Yatra’ likely to start in Niti Valley of Uttarakhand from 2019

Uttarakhand will likely introduce ‘Adi Amarnath Yatra’ in similar lines of Amarnath Yatra from next year. The said yatra will take pilgrims till Timarsain in the Niti Valley of Uttarakhand, which is famed for ice taking the form of shiva lingas during winters.
Uttarakhand being popular as a pilgrimage site, registers huge footfall of visitors almost every year. It is expected that if the said ‘Adi Amarnath Yatra’ is started on the route, it will provide tourism-related livelihood to residents of the villages and also promote tourism in the region.

Deputy Director of Tourism Yogendra Kumar Gangwar, referring to this development, and said that the yatra will most likely start from February 10 during the occasion of Basant Panchami, which will continue till March 4.
The locals of Niti village believe Timarsain hill to be sacred where the shivlingas form. The residents also believe that Lord Shiva once halted and rested here before heading toward his abode, i.e., Kailash.
Niti village initially had around 250 families settled there, but with time, the number has shrunk to almost 35. People moved to other regions in search of better opportunities. Also, during harsh winters, locals shift to other places, and return only during the month of June. And now with this latest development, it is expected that growing tourism will likely provide stable means of income to the locals. An official in the know-how also shared that there are plans to start homestays in the region.