Heli taxi will make Manimahesh Yatra easier in Himachal Pradesh, know how much the fare will cost:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Manimahesh Yatra Chamba 2025: Manimahesh Yatra, one of the toughest journeys in the world, is starting in the month of August. The deal has also been finalised regarding air services for the Manimahesh Yatra. Two companies have been selected for the heli taxi service. In the Manimahesh Yatra, the round trip from Bharmour to Gaurikund will cost Rs 6680. Himalayan Heli Service and Rajas Aero Spot will provide their services in the Manimahesh Yatra.

This time a total of five companies participated in the tender process for heli taxi service. Out of which two companies have been selected. Compared to last year, this time passengers will have to pay Rs 720 less for heli taxi. Air services from Bharmour to Gaurikund will start from August 9 during the Manimahesh Yatra.

Fare from Bharmour to Gaurikund:
Chairman of Mani Mahesh Temple Trust and ADM Bharmour Kulbir Singh Rana said that Himalayan Heli Taxi Service had kept the lowest one-way fare of Rs. 3340 from Bharmour to Gaurikund. A company named Rajas Aero Spot has also agreed to provide the services of its helicopter at the same fare.

Online booking of air service will be done through the website of Manimahesh Temple Trust. The trust has done this tender process for three years. He told that both the companies will start flights from 9th August and this phase will continue till 3rd September. Last year, in Manimahesh Yatra, one way fare of heli taxi service from Bharmour to Gaurikund was fixed at Rs. 3700.

Manimahesh Yatra Dates
Manimahesh Yatra will run from 16 August to 31 August. This yatra is organized every year from Janmashtami to Radhashtami. This year, Janmashtami is on 16 August and Radhashtami will be on 31 August.

The district administration has made a strategy for the Manimahesh Yatra, toilets will also have to be arranged. During the Manimahesh Yatra 2025, devotees will be charged a registration fee of Rs 20 per devotee during the Yatra period and Rs 100 per devotee during the non-Yatra period. As per the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal NGT, there will be a complete ban on food items in non-biodegradable packaging and the use of single-use plastic.

What is the belief about Manimahesh Lake?
Manimahesh Lake is one of the major pilgrimage sites of Himachal Pradesh, which is located 26 kilometers away from Bharmour. This lake is located at an altitude of 13,000 feet at the foot of Kailash Peak (18,564 feet). Every year, on the Ashtami date of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadon, a fair is held on this lake, in which thousands of pilgrims come here to take a dip in the holy water.

According to the belief, Lord Shiva is the main deity of this fair. He resides in Kailash. A rock in the shape of a Shivlinga on Kailash is a form of Lord Shiva. Mount Kailash is considered invincible. No one has been able to climb this peak till date, while peaks higher than this including Mount Everest have been climbed many times. According to a story, once a Gaddi tried to climb this mountain with his flock of sheep. It is believed that he turned into stone along with his sheep. It is believed that the series of small peaks below the main peak are the remains of the unfortunate shepherd and his flock.

There are several routes to reach Manimahesh. Pilgrims from Lahaul-Spiti come via Kugti Pass. Some pilgrims from Kangra and Mandi come via Kawarsi or Jalsu Pass. The easiest route is from Chamba which goes via Bharmour. Currently buses go to Hadsar via Bharmour. Beyond Hadsar, pilgrims have to climb 13 kilometers to reach Manimahesh.