Reasi, August 21, 2026 : The annual Kousarnag Yatra began from the ancient Lord Shiva temple in Reasi on Friday amid elaborate security arrangements, with the Police, Army, CRPF, Special Operations Group (SOG) and other security agencies deployed along the pilgrimage route.
Organisers expect the number of devotees to nearly double this year, from around 5,000 last year to nearly 10,000. Pilgrims will travel by vehicle to the Mahore area on Friday before beginning the onward trek on foot from Saturday.
The main religious ceremonies and holy bath at Kousarnag Shiv Dham are scheduled for August 23, while the return journey towards Reasi is planned for August 24, officials said.
Heavy Security Deployment Along Route
DIG Reasi-Udhampur Shiv Kumar Sharma extended greetings to the pilgrims and residents of Reasi, saying all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
He said Kousarnag is a challenging high-altitude pilgrimage and that the civil administration and security forces had been preparing for several days to ensure the safety of devotees.
Teams of the Army, CRPF, Police and SOG have been deployed along the route. SOG personnel are also conducting cordon-and-search operations and area domination exercises in vulnerable locations as part of the security measures.
The district administration has additionally deployed SDRF, NDRF and other rescue teams to deal with emergencies, particularly in view of possible weather-related challenges in the mountainous terrain.
Youth Participation Sees Rise
Yatra organiser Suresh Kumar said participation by young devotees has increased significantly.
According to him, more than half of the pilgrims who participated last year were below 30 years of age, while a substantial number of devotees were above 50.
He described the participation of youth, women and elderly devotees as a significant achievement, saying the annual pilgrimage is increasingly attracting people from different sections of society.
Pilgrims from Reasi as well as other districts and states have joined the yatra, with officials expecting the number to rise as the procession moves towards the sacred destination.
Police Urge Public Vigilance
DIG Shiv Kumar Sharma said the Jammu and Kashmir Police continues to respond promptly to credible information regarding suspicious movement or the presence of anti-national or anti-social elements.
He appealed to residents and pilgrims to remain vigilant and immediately inform the police if they notice any suspicious person or activity.
The officer also said a joint operation is underway to neutralise any possible terrorist presence in the area.
Pilgrim Arvind Kumar praised the contribution of langar associations and said the administration and security agencies appeared fully prepared to deal with any emergency during the pilgrimage.
Sacred High-Altitude Pilgrimage
The Kousarnag Yatra is being held during the holy month of Shravan, alongside other major pilgrimages in the region, including the Amarnath Yatra, Budha Amarnath Yatra and Kailashkund Yatra.
Kousarnag is a high-altitude alpine lake located in the Pir Panjal range of south Kashmir and holds considerable religious and cultural significance.
The sacred lake has traditionally been associated with an ancient pilgrimage route and is referred to in historical and religious traditions by names including Karamasar and Veshnopad. The Vishav (Veshaw) river is traditionally believed to originate from the lake and flow towards the Kashmir Valley.
The site is also associated with the ancient Tirtha of Nawbhandan, further adding to its religious importance.
With heightened security, rescue teams and administrative arrangements in place, authorities have expressed confidence in ensuring a safe, peaceful and successful Kousarnag Yatra.
