MLA Ramnagar, RS Pathania and MLA Chenani, Dina Nath Bhagat, today jointly flagged off Kailash Kund Yatra from historical Vasuki Nag Temple, Dudu. SDM Dudu, Sandesh Sharma, SDM Basantgarh, Kewal Krishan, SDPO Ramnagar, Deepak Dingra, prominent local social activist, Kasturi Lal Gupta, senior officials from local administration and various other departments including office bearers of Vasuki Nag-Kailash Kund Committee were also present on the occasion. A large number of pilgrims from District Chamba of Himachal Pradesh, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda and other parts of Jammu region besides other states participated in the yatra. Today, the yatra will take its first night stay at Hayan just five kilometers from the Bhaderwah and next day early in the morning, it will leave for Kailash Kund and it would reach the Kund same day. Yatris will take bath in cold water of the Kund and perform Pooja of Lord Shiva and Vasuki Nag. Yatra will then return to Bhaderwah. Tight security arrangements have been made for the Yatra in which police, CRPF and Army Jawans have been deployed. Earlier while flagging off the Yatra, MLA Ramnagar said, “Kailash Kund is an abode of Nagraj Vasuki and this Yatra is an epitome of religious fervor, communal harmony and adventurous spirit of the people of the area. Due to militancy it had been abandoned since 1992 but from last few years, it has been resumed and restarted with a message that this Yatra reinforces human beliefs in the irresistible diehard spirit of fight unto the last”. He directed the local administration for making all the facilities available with the pilgrims. He directed the PDA (Patnitop Development Authority) to provide night shelters, bedding facilities, rest benches and footpath to the pilgrims. Health authorities were directed to arrange and make available oxygen cylinders for pilgrims if the need arises due to lack of oxygen at the Kailsh Kund. The MLA also called for early commissioning of DuduSeoj Dhar Road at the earliest which will be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 37 crore with a length of about 31 Km and will reduce the on-foot journey of the pilgrims.
