The annual Kousarnag yatra, a significant religious pilgrimage, began its journey from the ancient Lord Shiva temple in Reasi on Friday. The commencement was marked by extensive security measures, with personnel from the police, Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Special Operations Group (SOG) strategically deployed along the entire route. Officials confirmed that these multi-layered security arrangements are in place to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Organizers anticipate a substantial increase in the number of devotees participating this year, projecting a near doubling from approximately 5,000 pilgrims last year to an estimated 10,000. The initial phase of the yatra involves pilgrims traveling by vehicle to the Mahore area on Friday. The trek on foot is slated to commence on Saturday. The core religious activities, including the holy bath and other ceremonies at Kousarnag Shiv Dham, are scheduled for August 23. Pilgrims are expected to begin their return journey towards Reasi on August 24, concluding the pilgrimage.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the Kousarnag yatra is witnessing a growing participation of younger individuals. Suresh Kumar, one of the yatra organizers, highlighted that over 50 percent of the devotees last year were under the age of 30, while a significant portion of participants were also above 50 years old. Kumar described the diverse age group participation, including youth, the elderly, and women, as a notable achievement, indicating a broadening societal engagement with this annual religious undertaking.
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for the Reasi-Udhampur range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, extended his greetings to the pilgrims and the residents of Reasi. He assured that the administration has finalized all necessary arrangements to facilitate a secure and seamless pilgrimage. Sharma acknowledged the challenging nature of the Kousarnag yatra, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of security forces and the civil administration in ensuring devotee safety over several days leading up to the event. He reiterated the deployment of teams from the Army, CRPF, police, and SOG along the pilgrimage path, with SOG personnel actively conducting cordon-and-search operations and area domination exercises in vulnerable sectors.
In addition to the security deployments, the district administration has also mobilized teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), alongside other rescue agencies. These units, in conjunction with Army and CRPF personnel, are positioned to address any potential emergencies, particularly those that might arise from adverse weather conditions. The DIG noted that pilgrims from Reasi, as well as from other districts and states, have joined the yatra, and their numbers are expected to grow as the procession advances towards its sacred destination.
Arvind Kumar, a pilgrim, expressed his appreciation for the support provided by langar associations to the devotees. He also conveyed confidence in the preparedness of the administration and security agencies to manage any unforeseen circumstances. Regarding ongoing search operations in the region, the DIG stated that the Jammu and Kashmir Police are acting swiftly on credible intelligence concerning suspicious movements or the presence of anti-national or anti-social elements. He urged the public to maintain vigilance and to promptly report any suspicious individuals or activities to the police. A joint operation is currently underway in the area to counter any potential terrorist presence.
The Kousarnag yatra is taking place during the auspicious month of Shravan, a period that also coincides with other major pilgrimages such as the Amarnath Yatra, Budha Amarnath Yatra, and Kailashkund Yatra. Security agencies are maintaining a heightened state of alert across the entire region to ensure the safety of all religious journeys. Kousarnag is a high-altitude alpine lake situated within the Pir Panjal range of south Kashmir. This sacred lake holds profound religious significance and is historically linked to an ancient pilgrimage route. Ancient texts refer to Kousarnag as Kramasar or Veshnopad, and the Vishav (Veshaw) river is traditionally believed to originate from this lake, flowing towards the Kashmir Valley. The area is further enriched by its association with the ancient Tirtha of Nawbhandan, adding to its deep religious and cultural importance.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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