Abode of the mythological serpent God, Lord Vasukinag Ji, the sacred Kailash Kund, located at 16000ft above sea level in Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir, is an enchanted crater lake which remains frozen for a greater part of the year.
During late August or early September every year the scenic environs of this hallowed lake come alive to the chants of thousands of devotees who undertake an arduous trek to take a Holy dip in the lake during the annual Kailash Yatra. Believed to be as Holy as the sacred Mansarover lake in China, a dip in the ice-cold waters of Kailash Kund is believed to wash away the sins of the yatries and make their wishes come true.
Legend has it that the lake is also visited by Lord Shiva who described it to Mata Parvati as one of the most important pilgrimages of Northern India in the 'Vasuki Puran'. The yatries, while taking the Holy dip, also worship the Lake, Lord Shiva and Sh. Vasukinag Ji.
The base town for the yatra is the beautiful township ofBhadarwah cradled in a magnificent bowl-shaped valley of the same name. Affording beautiful landscaped vistas, with mesmerizing natural beauty,Bhadarwah, a veritable paradise, is also aptly known as “Chota Kashmir”. From here the yatra proceeds on the same route, which, as per legend, was taken by Shri Vasukinag Ji to reach Kailash Kund at the time when Garud Ji challenged him to a fight. Kalinag Mountain through Deodar forests and stretches of beautiful green landscape to reach Hanvieha.
Here, the yatries rest for the night in the vicinity of a spring gurgling with cool fresh water. On the second day, the yatra proceeds further to “Gow Paeda” a rocky mountain which Shri Vasukinag Ji is believed to have climbed after taking the form of
a Cow(“Gow” in local parlance) after which it proceeds up
the beautiful slopes of “Ram Tund” to a green valley, atop the slope. Some yatries pitch their tents here while others move on to “Gan Thuck” which provides panoramic views of the Seoj Dhar meadow. Some yatries also pitch their tents at Seoj Dhar while others move on to Kailash Kund for the night.
Next day the yatra returns to Bhadarwah, and few days later the township celebrates the colorful 'Mela Patt' which showcases the rich cultural and secular traditions of this bewitchingly beautiful land.
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How to get to Bhadarwah
Bhaderwah can be accessed from Jammu (200 KMs), the Winter Capital of Jammu & Kashmir; Katra (175KMs) the base town for Mata Vaishnodeviji Yatra; and, the famous hill resort of Patnitop (80 KMs). It can also be accessed from Chamba (66 KMs) in Himachal Pradesh. Tourists can also proceed toBhadarwah from Dalhousie (166 KMs) in Himachal Pradesh via Bani and Sarthal.
Sufficient paying Guest House accommodation is available inBhadarwah Town. A Tourist Reception Centre, Tourist Bungalow and other tourist facilities are also being created there by the State Government. Pre-fabricated shelters are also put up along the Kailash Yatra route during the yatra period.
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