Serving pilgrims at Kinnaur Kailash Yatra 2025

Last year, Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) began serving pilgrims at Kinnaur Kailash Yatra 2024, at Tangling village. This year, VMRK donated items requested by the local administration and served pilgrims at Ganesh Park (Mailing Khatta), a picturesque alpine meadow located at around 11,320 feet. Ganesh Park is a key stop on the pilgrimage trek and serves as the base camp for the final ascent.

Planning and preparations

VMRK first began procuring items for donation. These included a 10-liter oxygen cylinder, one high-purity portable oxygen concentrator, and two foldable stretchers. Given the challenging terrain of the yatra, trekking shoes are essential for navigating rocks and roots while remaining sturdy on uneven ground. To support the personnel deployed along the pilgrimage route, VMRK also purchased 99 pairs of trekking shoes, as requested by the administration. These shoes are water-resistant and offer enhanced grip, flexible soles, and ankle support.

For the medical camp, a team of VMRK volunteers came to the Nawan Nagar center to pack medicines, medical equipment, and other materials. All procured and packed items, including 72 boxes of medicine and medical equipment, were loaded onto a pickup truck. This vehicle departed from the Nawan Nagar center at around 9 pm on July 14.

Donations and camp setup

On July 15, the volunteers and truck arrived at Talampi village, located on the shorter alternative pilgrimage route. One team trekked to Ganesh Park to set up the medical camp. A second team stayed back to arrange porters to transport the materials to Ganesh Park. The next day, the second team donated the medical equipment and trekking shoes to the local administration. On July 17, the second team then joined the first team to complete the setup before the medical camp began operating that same day.

The medical camp, measuring 15 feet by 15 feet, was located adjacent to the pilgrims’ path at Ganesh Park. In accordance with administrative guidelines, the camp was staffed by six medical professionals and a team of volunteers. Together they provided round-the-clock medical services to the pilgrims.

Treating pilgrims at Ganesh Park

Given the thin air at high altitude, numerous pilgrims visited the camp with breathlessness, headaches, and dizziness. They received oxygen through oxygen concentrators and oxygen cylinders available at the camp. For the safety of pilgrims, the administration rechecked the medical fitness of elderly pilgrims and those with pre-existing health conditions at Ganesh Park. From July 30, the administration entrusted VMRK’s medical team the responsibility of monitoring the blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels of these pilgrims. Those found unfit were treated at the camp. Depending on their recovery, the medical team determined whether they were fit to continue the yatra or not.

The track near the Shiva Lingam is strewn with boulders alongside deep ravines. Pilgrims navigated this stretch with extreme caution, and sometimes had to crawl over rocks to avoid falling. Most injuries occurred along this section, often due to slipping during the descent. Additionally, some pilgrims were injured after becoming dizzy from the low oxygen levels. Our medical team carefully administered first aid.

Ganesh Park is situated midway along the route and is the only resting point for pilgrims. Pilgrims start their yatra there early in the morning and return after reaching the Shiva Lingam. As a result, many pilgrims came back to the camp with extreme fatigue, weakness, and muscle pain. These patients were given rehydrating drinks or prescribed medicines for their medical conditions.

Monsoon disruptions

This year, the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra was heavily affected by the monsoon, with rain occurring almost daily. On several occasions, torrential downpours temporarily suspended the yatra, sometimes for several consecutive days. During these periods, many pilgrims already on the trek were stranded along the stretch from Ganesh Park to Shiva Lingam, as it became extremely difficult to traverse. In response, rescue teams carried out multiple evacuation operations to assist the pilgrims. Our medical team gave the rescue teams disposable oxygen cylinders and medicine kits to support the affected pilgrims. Several rescue team members who fell ill during these evacuations sought treatment at the medical camp that remained open throughout.

Due to ongoing heavy rainfall and its associated consequences, the administration concluded the yatra prematurely on August 19. Accordingly, VMRK also concluded its services on the same day. During the 34 days of service, VMRK served more than 3,690 pilgrims, amongst them more than 140 patients received medical attention at the two-bed clinical treatment center.

Pilgrims visiting our camp often mentioned seeing VMRK camps at other pilgrimages. When they asked to know more, our volunteers gladly answered their questions about the charitable services and devotional events that VMRK organizes throughout the year.