Manimahesh Yatra in Himachal Pradesh suspended due to heavy downpour

The Manimahesh Yatra in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district has been suspended for now, It was announced after a bridge was washed away in flash floods triggered by heavy downpour overnight.

Chamba Superintendent of Police Monika Bhutungu said that a bridge at Bharangal Nala was swept away in torrential rains, snapping the only road between Bharmour and Hadsar, a small village that serves as the base camp for the Manimahesh pilgrimage. She also added that as of now, the annual Manimahesh Yatra has been suspended temporarily until the road is through.
The Superintendent of Police also urged the authorities in the neighbouring districts to issue an advisory to the pilgrims, who are heading toward Chamba, so that they don’t get stuck en route. The Manimahesh Lake is located 26 km from Bharmour in Bhudi Valley, a very prominent pilgrimage spot in Himachal Pradesh. The lake, situated at an altitude of 13000 ft above sea level, attracts tons of pilgrims every year during the months of August and September.
Also, the uphill journey starts from Hadsar, which is situated at a height of 2300 m and around 12 km from Bharmour town.
The 14-day long journey to the glacier-fed Manimahesh Lake in tribal Bharmour sub-division of Chamba district officially commenced last Saturday, coinciding with Janmashtmi, the festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. The pilgrimage is supposed to conclude on September 6, i.e., on the occasion of Radhashtami.