SHIMLA, July 16, 2013: While pilgrimage to the ShrikhandMahadev peak in Satlujvalley in Kullu district has begun, met officials have sounded out a warning of heavy to very heavy rain in the week ahead for those who plan to take the arduous journey.

From a forecast of light rain for Tuesday, the weatherman has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places on Wednesday and Thursday. The first batch of pilgrims headed for the mountain-top rock pilgrimage site on Monday, and the rush is expected to pick up slowly even as the pilgrimage remains unregulated as no physical fitness parameters are laid out for those venturing out on the trek during the rainy season.

Govind Sharma, president of voluntary group Shrikhand Seva Mandal, said, "The number of pilgrims expected to trek to the 17,000-feet-high Shrikhand Mahadev site is expected to be more than last year. A total of 18,765 pilgrims visited the site - famed for its 72-feet-tall natural rock lingam - last year.

Much of the rush is normally in the first 10 days of Shravan month, (starting from July 15), but pilgrims keep moving up and down the 35-km-long one way trek route for the entire month. Pilgrims head to Nirmand near Rampur in Satluj valley to start the journey, which normally takes four to five days.

The district administration has requisitioned services of more doctors to be deployed on the route to meet emergency needs of those who encounter physical distress in high altitudes. "Besides setting up two medical camps on the route, oxygen cylinders, stretchers, emergency lights and police rescue teams have been deployed enroute," said an administration official.

Counted as one of the five Kailash mountains across the Himalayan chain, Shrikhand as a pilgrim site for Shiva devotees has been gaining much popularity over the last decade. The rock lingam, that even has cracks on it, is said to be naturally shaped in such a manner that no snow accumulates on it, even though there is over 30 feet of snow in its surroundings.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 16, 2013.