Helicopterr service to Manimahesh shrine sought

Vijyender Sharma

Dharmshala---Himachal Pradesh Sri Sanatan Dharma Math Mandir Suraksha Samitti has lauded the efforts of district administration for making suitable arrangements for the pilgrims en route Bharmour to Manimahesh shrine during the ongoing Manimahesh pilgrimage which would culminate on September 21. The safety and security of the pilgrims has also been taken care of, the samitti said.

The state president of the Samitti, Swami Virendrananda Giri suggested the state government to introduce direct helicopter service from the district headquarters town of Chamba to Manimahesh shrine. Earlier the helicopter service was available from Bharmour to Manimahesh.

Swami Giri also appealed to the government that the Manimahesh pilgrimage should officially be declared open for at least two months from July 1 to the final bath of Radhasthami. The initiative would not only facilitate the pilgrimage, but would also be advantageous to the local population from the tourism point of view.

Swami urged Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to induct one member of the samitti into the Manimahesh Trust stating that the inclusion of samitti's member would help the trust in taking important decisions for the betterment of the sacred shrines of Manimahesh.

Swami Virendrananda Giri had been regularly visiting the Manimahesh shrine in Himachal Pradesh and Amaranth in Jammu and Kashmir for the past about 25 years.

Caption: Bharmour, last shopping centre for pilgrims en route Manimahesh shrine in Chamba district.