Safety Concerns Force Suspension of Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev Yatras

In a move prioritising pilgrim safety, the district administrations of Kullu and Kinnaur have suspended the annual Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra and Kinner Kailash Yatra, respectively, which were scheduled to begin in July 2026.

The decision comes after detailed assessments of the trekking routes and growing concerns over the safety of devotees planning to undertake these challenging religious journeys. Authorities reviewed ground conditions through expert and scout teams before arriving at the decision.

Every year, thousands of devotees and tourists attempt these demanding treks—around 16 kilometres to the Kinner Kailash peak in Kinnaur and nearly 25 kilometres to the Shrikhand Mahadev peak in Kullu’s Anni subdivision. However, both routes are known for their extremely difficult and risky terrain.

Over the years, several unfortunate incidents have been reported along these routes, including fatalities and serious injuries, largely due to the hazardous conditions at multiple points during the treks.

In Kinnaur, the Kinner Kailash Yatra was suspended following a report submitted by a specially constituted team. The team flagged significant risks for both pilgrims and emergency response personnel, citing threats such as glaciers, unstable boulders, and frequent rockfalls along the route.

A similar situation was observed in Kullu district, where a scout team identified severe safety concerns on the Shrikhand Mahadev route. Particularly, two stretches between Bhim Dwari and Parvati Bagicha were found to be extremely dangerous, raising alarms about the feasibility of conducting the yatra safely this year.

Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, Anurag Chander Sharma, confirmed the decision, stating that the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra 2026 has been suspended until further notice. He emphasized that the move was based on findings from a joint expert inspection team and the looming threat of natural disasters in the region.

Authorities have reiterated that the safety of devotees remains their top priority, and any future decision regarding the resumption of the yatras will depend on improvements in ground conditions and risk assessments.