Travel

The pilgrimage was initially scheduled to commence on July 1 but had to be postponed due to unstable weather, glacier activity and landslide threats along the trekking route. Authorities have now fixed the revised schedule from July 30 to August 10, while making it clear that the trek could be suspended at short notice if weather conditions become unsafe.

To maintain safety and manage the flow of pilgrims, only 375 devotees will be permitted to begin the trek each day. Of these, 175 registrations will be accepted through the official online portal of the Kinnaur district administration, 125 pilgrims can register offline at the designated camp, while the remaining 75 slots have been reserved for recognised adventure tour operators. Online registration opens on July 28, whereas offline applicants must report to the registration centre at Tangling village before 6 a.m. on July 30.

Given the high altitude and physically demanding nature of the trek, all participants must submit a valid medical fitness certificate issued by a registered doctor. Pilgrims will also be required to undergo a mandatory health examination at the medical camp in Tangling before receiving final clearance to continue the journey.

The Himachal Pradesh administration has strengthened security and emergency preparedness for the pilgrimage. Disaster response personnel, medical teams and local authorities will remain deployed throughout the route, while arrangements have been made for traffic regulation, rescue operations, healthcare facilities and the uninterrupted supply of drinking water.

Regarded as one of the five sacred Kailash pilgrimage sites, Kinner Kailash draws thousands of devotees every year despite its steep climbs, rocky terrain and unpredictable weather. For many worshippers, completing the challenging trek during Shravan is considered an act of deep faith and devotion, making the annual pilgrimage one of the most spiritually significant events in the Himalayan region.