Thousands of devotees participated in the Kailash Kund Yatra, which concluded here today.The pilgrims returned from Kailash Kund after taking dip in the Holy lake and seeking blessings of Shri Vasuki Nag.Kailash Yatra which commenced three days back from Bhaderwah reached Kailash Kund (Holy Lake) yesterday after a night stay at Haiyan. Devotees were chanting bhajans, vedic mantras and slogans throughout the way and showered flowers to take blessings of Vasuki Nag.Of the many yatras starting from Bhadrwah, this one is a major one because it attracts large number of devotees. The pilgrimage is an arduous trek to Kailash Kund, a fresh water lake located at an altitude of around 13067 ft from the sea level.The yatra starts from Gatta village and then goes to Bhaderwah’s 11th century Vasukinag Temple that houses a single stone piece idol of Vasukinag (Vasuki). After leaving the town, the pilgrims start ascending the peaks taking the same mythical route that Vasuki had taken to reach Kailash Kund. A general belief terms Vasuki a king who left his estate and went to Kailash. Every year his subjects would go and try to persuade him to return. The persuasion failed but the traditioncontinued.Pilgrims stay at Hayain (Nalthi) for the night in the vicinity of a spring. Next day, the yatra proceeds further to Gow Paeda, a rocky mountain that Vasukinag is believed to have climbed after taking the form of a cow. The devotees then arrive at Ramkund and Gan Thuck and finally at Kund. Carrying tents, the pilgrims pitch their tents wherever they wish. Pilgrims spend the day at the destination and start their puja after taking a dip in the ice cold water of the lake. They start their return the next day.A dip in the lake is considered to be vital for washing away the sins. The lake is the source of Neru River which flows through Bhaderwah Valley. Interestingly, it is an enchanted crater lake which remains frozen for a greater part of the year.