In Jammu and Kashmir, the annual Kousarnag Yatra commenced from the ancient Lord Shiva temple in Reasi, with police, the Army, CRPF, the Special Operations Group and other security agencies putting elaborate security arrangements in place for the pilgrims.
Akashvani Jammu correspondent reports that the organisers estimated that the number of devotees could double from around 5,000 last year to nearly 10,000 this year. The pilgrims will trek from Mahore to Kousarnag Shiv Dham on foot today. The holy bath and religious ceremonies at the Dham are scheduled for tomorrow, while the pilgrims will begin their return journey towards Reasi on August 24. The Yatra organisers said young people are participating more in the pilgrimage, as more than 50 per cent of devotees last year were under 30.
DIG Reasi-Udhampur Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, extended greetings to the pilgrims and residents of Reasi and said the administration has made all necessary arrangements to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
The Kousarnag Yatra is a challenging pilgrimage, and security forces and the civil administration have been working for several days to ensure the safety of devotees. Teams from the Army, CRPF, Police and SOG have been deployed along the route, while SOG personnel are conducting cordon-and-search operations and area domination exercises in vulnerable areas. The district administration has also deployed SDRF, NDRF and other rescue teams, in addition to Army and CRPF personnel, to respond to any emergency, particularly given possible weather-related challenges.
The Kousarnag Yatra is being held during the holy month of Shravan, coinciding with other major pilgrimages, including the Amarnath Yatra, Budha Amarnath Yatra and Kailashkund Yatra, with security agencies maintaining heightened vigilance across the region. Kousarnag, also known as Kausar Nag, is a high-altitude alpine lake situated in the Pir Panjal range of south Kashmir. The sacred lake holds religious significance and has traditionally been associated with the ancient pilgrimage route. In ancient texts, Kousarnag is referred to as Karamasar or Veshnopad, and the Vishav (Veshaw) River is traditionally believed to originate from the lake and flow towards the Kashmir Valley.
