Pithoragarh, May 2 -- The Adi Kailash and Om Parvat pilgrimage kicked off from Dharchula in Pithoragarh district on Friday, with a convoy of vehicles carrying 350 pilgrims from across the country. SDM, Dharchula, Ashish Joshi flagged off the convoy and said that the administration was issuing inner line permits to pilgrims. "We have received over 500 applications for inner line permits so far, out of which 350 pilgrims have already been issued permits," Joshi said. He added that the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, the nodal agency for both the Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimages, will begin its packaged pilgrimage from May 7. According to Joshi, the administration has completed all necessary preparations along the upper stretch of the pilgrimage route from Gunji to Jolingkong. However, pilgrims have been advised to remain cautious due to the rapidly changing weather conditions in the high Himalayan region. "The doors of the temple of Lord Shiva located at Jolingkong were opened at 10.30 am on Friday according to the religious rituals of the Rung community," Joshi said. Adi Kailash is popularly known as 'Chhota Kailash' and is considered as a replica of Mount Kailash in Tibet in appearance....