Mani Mahesh Yatra Site Turns into Garbage Dump, BJP MLA Urges Centre to Include it Under PRASAD Scheme
Shimla/New Delhi, July 28
The sacred Mani Mahesh Yatra route in Bharmour, Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, is facing a serious sanitation and infrastructure crisis, as pilgrims continue to spend nights at the site amid glaring lack of basic amenities.
The area, located in the tribal belt of Pangi-Bharmour, is reportedly turning into a garbage dump, raising concerns over environmental degradation and the safety and dignity of pilgrims.
You get no facilities like toilet at the Mani Mahesh site. One or two toilets are in bad shape and pilgrims answer the call of nature in the open in lower margins, creating unhealthy situation there, says Deepak Banchta and Satish Chauhan, the yatris from Chopal , Shimla, who returned from Yatra last week. 
The entire route from Hadsar to Gauri Kund to the top has slushy patches of trek, spoiled by the Mules which take ration and essential supplies from Bharmour to the Mani Mahesh Lake site. They have made trek unworkable for pilgrims, they pointed out
Taking up the issue with the Centre, BJP MLA from Bharmour and Pangi, Dr. Janak Raj, met Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in New Delhi and formally requested the inclusion of the Mani Mahesh Yatra under the PRASAD scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive).
The move, the MLA said, would pave the way for the creation of essential facilities like toilets, rest sheds, solid waste management systems, and proper paths for yatris.
“Thousands of devotees arrive every year for the yatra to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva at Mani Mahesh Lake. But due to the absence of basic amenities, the site is becoming polluted and chaotic. This is not just a matter of inconvenience, it’s about upholding the sanctity of this revered pilgrimage,” Dr. Janak Raj said after the meeting.
The Union Minister has assured him of due consideration and promised that the demand would be taken seriously.
Locals and pilgrims alike have long been demanding proper infrastructure support at Mani Mahesh.
The yatra, which begins from Bharmour and stretches over treacherous terrain to reach the high-altitude glacial lake, sees a surge of devotees especially during the Janmashtami and Radhashtami festivals.
However, the recurring issues of poor waste management, lack of public toilets, and absence of medical and shelter facilities continue to plague the pilgrimage.
Environmental activists too have raised the alarm over the garbage piling up along the trail, particularly near night halt points.
"We can't let sacred sites turn into dumping grounds in the name of faith. There has to be a system," said one NGO worker from Chamba.
The PRASAD scheme, launched by the Ministry of Tourism, aims to integrate pilgrimage sites with tourism infrastructure development to provide a seamless experience to tourists and pilgrims.
If accepted, inclusion under PRASAD could bring much-needed funds and central support to Mani Mahesh Yatra, boosting both spiritual tourism and local livelihoods in this remote tribal region.Here’s a crisp and colloquial news-style rewrite for your update on SDRF’s preparedness for the Manimahesh Yatra 2025:
🚨 SDRF gears up for Manimahesh Yatra 2025
Bharmour/Chamba: With thousands of devotees expected to trek the treacherous route to Manimahesh Lake, the SDRF FAMEX team, led by SP Arjit Sen Thakur, inspected the entire Yatra trail ahead of the pilgrimage.
This year, three dedicated SDRF teams will be deployed round-the-clock along the high-altitude route to ensure safety and provide immediate response to any emergencies.
“Pilgrims must acclimatize properly and strictly follow safety protocols. Your safety is our priority,” said SP Arjit Sen, urging yatris to cooperate.
#ManiMaheshYatra #Chamba #PRASADscheme #CleanPilgrimage #TourismDevelopment
