By IANS,
Shimla : The oval-shaped Manimahesh lake in Himachal Pradesh, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, is now just a helicopter ride away — for those who want to avoid the 14-km uphill trek, officials said Tuesday.
“The helicopter service started Monday for devotees who are unable to trudge 14 km in the lofty mountains in Chamba district,” Additional Deputy Commissioner D.S. Negi told IANS over phone.
He said the five-seater copter ferries devotees between Bharmour, the base camp of the pilgrimage, and Gauri Kund, just one km short of the lake.
“On the first day, the copter took just two flights due to foggy conditions at Gauri Kund. On a normal day, it could take a maximum 20 flights,” the official said.
The to-and-fro fare for the journey is Rs.8,600 per person.
The journey on foot starts from Hadsar at a height of 6,000 feet and concludes at 13,500 feet at the lake.
The scenic lake attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The devotees take a dip in the lake’s icy waters and pray to Mount Kailash, which is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
This year the Manimahesh pilgrimage started Aug 13 and concludes on the occasion of Radha ashtami Aug 27.
More than 100,000 devotees have taken a dip in the lake so far this year.