Himachal: Devotees Will Be Monitored By Administration Heading to Churdhar on Shivratri

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Churdhar

Letter written to SDM Kupvi

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Shimla, February 20: The administration in Himachal Pradesh is taking stringent measures to protect devotees coming to visit Churdhar ahead of the Shivratri festival, despite the ban on the annual Churdhar Yatra. SDM Chaupal and Chairman of Churdhar Management Temple Committee and ADM Chaupal, Hem Chand Verma have taken serious cognizance of the matter.

The administration has pointed to the hazards posed by the continuing snowfall at Churdhar, which has made the path to the mountain slippery and dangerous, in a letter to DSP Chaupal and other SDMs (Sub Divisional Magistrates) in Sangrah and Kupvi. The administration’s concern is exacerbated by the fact that devotees are still trying to reach the sacred site despite the official ban.

Heavy snowfall has resulted in 2 to 3 feet of snow on Churdhar, making the trails leading to the temple treacherous. The danger level for trekking around Churdhar will increase as Shivratri falls on February 25 and 26 and according to SDM Chaupal, the number of devotees coming to Churdhar will also increase despite the previous risks. It is therefore calling for the Churdhar Yatra to be completely banned till April to avoid any untoward incident and to ensure the safety of people.

In the wake of this incident, SDM Chaupal has ordered the DSP located in Chaupal to send police forces to Churdhar, especially on the days leading to Shivratri. Also, the SDMs of Sangrah and Kupvi have been asked to provide additional support by deploying police personnel along the routes of Nauhradhar and Kupvi areas. The aim is to stop devotees trying to take the dangerous paths and dissuade them from proceeding to Churdhar.

The administration is facing a problem with more than one alternative route to Churdhar, mainly through the forests of Nauhradhar, Haripurdhar and Kupvi areas, where it is difficult to restrict the passenger movement by only taping the main route. The devotees, who have an unshakeable faith, often take risky shortcuts, and the polar conditions are no deterrent against the pilgrimage snow or otherwise. The administration knows that the pilgrims are staunch followers of the faith, but is equally concerned that their safety is not jeopardized in the arduous conditions.

However, the authorities fear that with several feet of snow still lying on Churdhar, the conditions would turn riskier in the next days, especially with the hundreds of the devotees expected from for Shivratri in the coming days. The journey has also become more treacherous as the paths, icy and uneven, can cause people to fall, trapping them and others and putting them at risk of injury. “Because of these concerns, the administration underscored taking all precautionary measures and attempts to evade an untoward incident,” it stated.

The authorities will have to bear a burden of trust as the worshippers visit Churdhar this Shivratri, and will have to monitor and ensure that the devotees are carried safely out of the potential danger spots. Their faith is unwavering, and their devotion is admirable; however, the administration has the responsibility to make sure that they do not become victims of a disaster by following the advisories on the way to prevent a disaster. The administration’s tight measures to limit access and the deployment of law enforcement along critical access routes should ensure that the pilgrimage goes ahead as safely as possible.

With Shivratri approaching, the administration’s resolve to protect lives will certainly be challenged. Along with the cooperation of local police forces and the public, authorities will be relying on everyone they can to avoid potentially dangerous situations, and be in the best situation they can, to guarantee an exciting and beneficial experience for everyone involved.

Kumud Sharma

https://diarytimes.com/

Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.

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