The Adi Kailash yatra began on Friday with the district administration flagging off pilgrims from Dharchula, as the portals of the Shiv temple at Jolingkong were opened with traditional rituals by the Rang community.
Villagers, ITBP personnel and officials attended the ceremony and offered prayers.
Sub-divisional magistrate Ashish Joshi said over 500 people have applied for inner line permits (ILP), of which around 400 have been issued since registrations began on April 28. The permit is valid for four days, during which pilgrims must complete their visit to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat.
“The footfall has increased since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in Oct 2023, reaching around 36,000 last year. We expect the number to touch 50,000 this year,” Joshi said.
Adi Kailash, also known as Chhota Kailash, is located at an altitude of 5,945 metres in the Byas Valley of Dharchula tehsil, near Parvati Lake. The route became motorable in 2020 after the completion of the Tawaghat-Lipulekh road, improving access to the pilgrimage site.
The administration has advised pilgrims to leave heavy vehicles at Dharchula and use 4x4 vehicles for the onward journey. Visitors have also been asked to check weather conditions, halt at designated points in high-altitude areas and follow medical advisories.
