Shimla, Aug 18 - The oval-shaped Manimahesh lake in Himachal Pradesh, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, is now just a helicopter ride away -- for those who want to avoid the 14-km uphill trek, officials said Tuesday.

'The helicopter service started Monday for devotees who are unable to trudge 14 km in the lofty mountains in Chamba district,' Additional Deputy Commissioner D.S. Negi told IANS over phone.

He said the five-seater copter ferries devotees between Bharmour, the base camp of the pilgrimage, and Gauri Kund, just one km short of the lake.

'On the first day, the copter took just two flights due to foggy conditions at Gauri Kund. On a normal day, it could take a maximum 20 flights,' the official said.