Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra 2012 has finally started  today with a batch of over 2,000 devotees having left Jaon village, base camp around 32 km from Rampur, Himchal Pradesh.
Considered to be much tougher than Amarnath Yatra , it is open for only 15-20 days in a year.
It is a pilgrimage place for Hindus. It is believed that Shrikhand Mahadev is one of the abode of Lord Shiva.People worship the natural, rock-made shiva-lingam situated at a height of 5200-5400msl, the lingam is approx 72 feet high. The view is breathtaking from the top. Shrikhand Mahadev is a rock-made natural shivalinga on the great heights of mountains in the Himalayas. The shivalinga is  at the mountain top around 19,000 ft altitude.
Shirkhand Mahadev is in the district of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. To reach Shrikhand Mahadev one has to go to Shimla, and then to Rampur. From Rampur to Nirmand, Nirmand to Bagi Pul and Bagi pul to Jao vallage. From Jao village the foot yatra starts to the Shrikhand Mahadev.
Shrikhand Kailash (Mahadev) yatra is open for 15-20 days in a year and normally from the 15th july to 5-10 August. The reason behind this is environmental conditons like heavy snowfalling and there is no way to go there before and after this period. Â This year, the pilgrimage would officially continue till July 25 and the authorities expect the arrival of over 20,000 pilgrims this time.
There are 2 ways to reach to the top, one is from Neermand and another from Arsu side, and we took the first route. The trek from jaon Village takes 32 kms one side to reach Shrikhand Peak.
The pilgrims scale the 17,600-feet Shrikhand Mahadev peak in Kullu district to pay obeisance to a giant natural rock resembling to a Shiva Lingam.
“An eight-member rescue team has been positioned along the route to handle any emergency,” Shravan Kumar Manta, an official in charge of the pilgrimage, said. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva meditated in Shrikhand and the Pandvas too had trekked to the peak.
The 30-km one-way journey on foot starts from Jaon, some 150 km from state capital Shimla. Â After passing through rugged, cold and inhospitable terrain, it concludes at Shrikhand Mahadev peak, where the devotees pay obeisance to 72-foot tall lingam.
Necessary things to carry with you :Â Woolen clothes, blanket, umbrella and Rain coat, Some dry fruits like Badam and Kaju, Glucose for Energy. These things are very neccessary to carry because in the way you will not get anything. So it is advised to take these things from Rampur or Nirmand.
Important Note :This is one of the tough yatra so if you fully healthy then only go to Shrikhand Mahdev. There is also low oxygen on the top of mountain so please be ensure that you should be fully fit. There is no government organisation or any medical aid/doctors in the way. However there are many free langer from the Shrikhand Mahadev Seva Dal(SMSD) where you can have free meals.