Annual Gangabal Yatra to commence today

Ganderbal, Aug 29: The three day Annual Gangabal Yatra will commence on Saturday, August 30, starting from Naranag, area of Kangan here.

The pilgrimage to the Harmukh-Gangbal Lake situated at an elevation of 3570 meters will start from Naranag area of Kangan in Ganderbal district early Saturday with the group of pilgrims mostly Kashmiri Pandits to be flagged off by the senior officials of the civil and police administration of Ganderbal. District administration in Ganderbal has finalized arrangements for the pilgrimage, ensuring sufficient resources and facilities, including lodging, sanitation, water, firewood, medical aid, and the deployment of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel. Jammu and Kashmir police along with other security agencies have also made elaborate security arrangements for the Yatra.

Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, chaired a meeting to review and finalize the arrangements for the upcoming Annual Gangabal Yatra.

The DC directed the concerned departments to put all arrangements in place, as the Yatra is scheduled to commence on August 30, 2025, from Naranag, with the advance party proceeding towards Gangabal on August 29.

Pertinent to mention that pilgrimage to the Harmukh-Gangbal situated at an elevation of 3570 meters starts annually from Naranag area of Kangan in Ganderbal district. After performing Puja at Naranag temple, devotees set on 15-km journey on foot to Gangabal lake, which is located around 14,500 feet above sea level in the Harmukh mountain range. The pilgrims track to Gangbal via Butchari and Trunkhal. On reaching, sacred puja is performed on the banks of Gangbal lake following which the pilgrims returns the next day. Gangbal is situated in the hills of Harmukh range in north east of Kashmir valley, at a height of 12000 feet on the Ganderbal-Sonamarg road. Gangabal is also called Harmukut Ganga and is believed that this place is pious as Haridwar Where pilgrims perform prayers and immerse ashes of the dead. The route is dotted with several other lakes and temples.