North India’s most-challenging pilgrimage kicks off in Himachal, is more grueling than Amarnath Yatra

TNR News Network

Kullu: The highly demanding Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, often regarded as one of the toughest spiritual treks in northern India, even more grueling than the Amarnath Yatra, formally commenced early Thursday (July 10, 2025) morning in Himachal Pradesh.

The first group of pilgrims was flagged off at 5 am by officials from the Shrikhand Yatra Trust, marking the official start of this year’s pilgrimage.

According to officials, the initial batch consisted of 40 devotees. Budhi Singh Thakur, Chairman of Milkfed, inaugurated the yatra, accompanied by several dignitaries, including District Council Chairman Pankaj Parmar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manmohan Singh (Nirmand), DSP Chandrashekhar Kayath (Ani), and hundreds of devotees.

Treacherous 32-km trek to height of 18,000 feet

Unlike other pilgrimages, the Shrikhand Yatra spans a steep and treacherous 32-km ascent, culminating at an altitude of 18,000 feet, where a naturally formed seven-foot-tall Shiva Lingam made of rock stands amid glaciers.

The high-altitude journey is not just physically demanding due to its vertical climbs, but also risky due to low oxygen levels, freezing temperatures, and glacier crossings, making it significantly more challenging than the famed Amarnath Yatra trek.

5,200 pilgrims register online for yatra

This year, around 5,200 pilgrims have already registered online for the yatra. The district administration has restricted daily pilgrim movement to a maximum of 800 persons to ensure smooth management and adequate safety protocols. The pilgrimage window will remain open from July 10 to July 23.

Five base camps have been set up along the yatra route. Each camp provides medical checkups, first aid and essential safety services. For security and coordination, the Kullu district administration has deployed a comprehensive team, including 60 police personnel, 18 SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) members, 10 Home Guards, 24 volunteers from ABHIMAS-Manali, 20 revenue officials, 20 Panchayati Raj staff, 15 forest officials and additional staff from the Public Works, Water Resources and Power departments.

Langar (community kitchens) facilities have been arranged at key halting points, including Singhad, Thachdu and Bhimdwari, where devotees can access free meals. The administration has also fixed the prices for food and accommodation to prevent overcharging by private service providers. Pilgrims can choose to carry their own tents or rent shelters at designated points.

Not a journey for the faint-hearted

The spiritual path to Shrikhand Mahadev demands not just devotion but also physical stamina and mental resilience. The terrain features vertical slopes, icy crossings and challenging weather, often testing the endurance of even seasoned trekkers. At such high altitudes, the risk of altitude sickness and respiratory distress is real, with medical emergencies being a key concern every year.

As one of the most formidable spiritual journeys in India, the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra stands as a true test of faith and endurance, drawing thousands of devotees annually despite the challenges.