Wednesday, 25 SEPTEMBER 2024 | Afzal Hussain Fauji | NAINITAL
The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) has started advance booking of helicopter flights for those wanting to visit Adi Kailash in Pithoragarh district from October. The KMVN managing director Vineet Tomar informed this correspondent that the Adi Kailash Yatra will start from October and that all preparations have been completed for it. The difference this year is that for the first time, the KMVN will be conducting the pilgrimage as a pilot project. As part of this scheme, the pilgrims will have to reach Pithoragarh on their own and from there, they will be taken by helicopter to Gunji. Arrangements will be made for accommodation of the tourists here for upto three nights. The visitors will be able to view Adi Kailash from Old Lipulekh, Om Parvat from Nabhidhang and Mount Kailash from Lipulekh during their visit. The entire trip will cost about Rs 80,000 per person. The visitors will first undergo a health checkup before commencing the journey, which will be followed by another checkup at Old Lipulekh, after which they will be provided the permit to visit Adi Kailash.
Tomar said that the Rs 80,000 charged per person will include the cost of the helicopter flight, travelling in a jeep, accommodation, meals and other facilities. Homestays have been booked for the travellers in Gunji village.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Adi Kailash pilgrimage was to start by road on September 15 but the heavy rains and resulting landslides in the recent past caused considerable damage to the road network in the region. After reopening and repairing of the roads, the pilgrimage to Adi Kailash has resumed by road. A number of pilgrims travelled towards the sacred mountain by road on Tuesday.
