Amid speculations over Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra due to Covid-19 spike, Chota Kailash or Adi Kailash in Uttarakhand proposed to be developed as the main pilgrimage site and to promote it as a destination for religious tourism
With no clarity on whether the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra will be held this yr, the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam proposes to develop Chota Kailash, the original abode of Lord Shiva on the Indian side of the border with China, as a major pilgrimage site. “Chota Kailash, also called Adi Kailash is considered the original abode of Lord Shiva and will be the best pilgrimage site to visit for Shiva devotees from across the nation,” KMVN Chairperson Kedar Joshi mentioned.
Connectivity to Chota Kailash has also improved with the BRO connecting Vyas valley with a motor road in June last yr making it much more convenient for pilgrims to achieve the site, he mentioned.
KMVN is the nodal agency for the annual Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra which was not held the last yr because of the covid-19 and isn’t likely to be held this yr as well with the preparatory meetings not held so far.
The meetings are held in the first week of February by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The KMVN Chairperson mentioned he’s planning to visit Chota Kailash himself in April to take stock of the infrastructure on way to the pilgrimage site.
Although well known among Shiva devotees, the infrastructure around Chota Kailash needs to be upgraded to attract more and more pilgrims on the lines of the Chardham yatra, he mentioned.
