Kailash kund Yatra, Bhaderwah

Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in collaboration with District Administration Doda welcomes all devotees to the Kailash kund Yatra, Bhaderwah from 11.09.2023 onwards. Kailash kund Yatra in Bhaderwah starts every year in the month of Bhadu on Dwadshi Tethi in Krishan Paksh that is in ending dates of august or early days of September. This year in 2023, it is starting on 11th of September, 2023 from village Gatha previously known as Ghoshta having the ancient temple of Sh. Vasuki Naag Ji Maharaj. The yatries take the same path, which was taken by Sh. Vasuki Naag Ji to reach Kailash Kund at the time when Garoodh Ji challenged him to fight. Shri Vasuki Naag Ji ran away to avoid the fight to keep respect of Garood's promise which he had made to his mother Vaneeta as both Garoodh ji and Vasuki Naag Ji were the sons of great saints Maharishi Kashyap. Kailash in Bhaderwah (Bhaderkashi) is called Kablas. It is a big lake situated at height of 14241 ft. from sea level. It is beautiful pure ice cold clear fresh water lake, surrounded by mountains and glaciers. It is the most attractive religious holy spot where Lord Shiva resided before Shri Vasuki Naag ji as the permanent occupant of the place. Yatra starts with beating of drums, blowing of flutes among the shouting of religious slogans by the people, first of all people worship the holy mace with flowers, chanting mantras and then proceed on their way. Further, by climbing mountain which is straight rocky strip called "GOW PAEDA"" named as such because Shri Vasuki Naag ji had climbed this strip after becoming cow (called gow in bhaderwahi). It is the biggest pilgrimage of Northern India as stated by Lord Shiva to Mata Parvati in Vasuki Puran.In space Vasuki Naag ji is lying in such a way that there head is above village Nalthi, His right arm is over village Bheja and left arm over village Mathola as "Chatur Bhuj Naag. His central body part is at Nagar whereas, his feet are at Gatha village, as per the written version. His family resides at Gatha, that is why ladies are not allowed to enter the inner side of the temple at Gatha village. Taking bath and donating something to poor at this place is sacred and noblest job which is repaid in manifold, way to the donor after death. The holy mace comes back to Gatha, after taking dip in cold water of Kailash Kund.