The famous Adi Kailash Yatra, the abode of Lord Shiva in the Vyas Valley of Uttarakhand’s border district of Pithoragarh, will begin this year on May 8th from three locations in the state. Vijaynath Shukla, General Manager of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN), the nodal agency for the Yatra, stated that a total of 15 groups of devotees will travel to Adi Kailash from Haldwani, Tanakpur, and Dharchula. He stated that the Adi Kailash Yatra from Haldwani will last eight days. The journey from Tanakpur will last six days, and the journey from Dharchula will last five days. Vijaynath Shukla stated that the first phase of the Yatra will conclude on June 10th.
PM Modi boosts Adi Kailash Yatra
According to officials, before the Prime Minister’s visit, approximately 2,000 pilgrims visited Adi Kailash each year. After Modi’s visit in 2023, the number of pilgrims reached 28,000. Last year, this figure surpassed 36,000.
If the weather remains favorable, the administration may issue Inner Line Permits from the last week of April. Last year, more than 30,000 pilgrims visited. Therefore, an even larger number of pilgrims are expected this time.
Adi Kailash is located in the Vyas Valley in the Dharchula region of Pithoragarh district. Traffic remains closed from November to March due to heavy snowfall. Due to security reasons, an Inner Line Permit is mandatory to travel beyond Chhayalekh in the Vyas Valley. The tehsil administration issues it. Inner Line Permits for the pilgrimage to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat can be obtained offline from the SDM office in Dharchula. An Aadhaar card, medical fitness certificate, and passport-size photo are required for the application. Online applications are also available.
The number of tourists visiting Adi Kailash and Om Parvat has increased rapidly in recent years. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in 2023, this religious site gained national and global recognition. Since then, the number of pilgrims visiting has been steadily increasing. In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Adi Kailash region during his visit to Uttarakhand. He offered prayers at Adi Kailash and Parvati Kund in Pithoragarh district, and also visited the famous Jageshwar Dham in Kumaon.
Adi Kailash is located within the Indian border in the Vyas Valley of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, and therefore, travel is considered relatively easy. Only an Inner Line Permit, a medical examination, and permission from the local administration are required. With the construction of the road, pilgrims can now travel by vehicle to Dharchula, Gunji, and Jolingkong to visit Adi Kailash, along with Parvati Sarovar and Gauri Kund.
