Kinner Kailash pilgrimage stopped in Himachal

Shimla, July 29: With the death of two devotees in flashfloods, the Himachal Pradesh government on Sunday temporarily halted the Kinner Kailash pilgrimage, dedicated to Lord Shiva's 79-foot vertical rock Shiva Lingam at a height of around 6,050 metres above average sea level.

"The Kinner Kailash yatra has been stopped till further order due to heavy rainfall and flashfloods in Kinnaur district," an official statement quoting officiating Deputy Commissioner Avninder Kumar said.

He said a flashflood on Thursday night in the Kangrang rivulet on the way to Kinner Kailash washed away two devotees and left several stranded.

"As the pilgrims are still arriving to pay obeisance, the administration is urging them not to come to Kinnaur for Kinner Kailash till it is safe," said the statement.

It said pilgrims from neighbouring states reached the base camp but were stopped by the police. A control room has been set up at the base camp to stop the pilgrims from trekking.

As many as 251 persons were rescued from different locations en route to Kinner Kailash on Saturday.

Most of the pilgrims were trapped in the Ganesh park area near Kinner Kailash.

The pilgrimage is yet to start officially.