Latest news with #VaishnoDevi
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Twin landslides kill Vaishno Devi devotee, Poonch school kid
Twin landslides kill Vaishno Devi devotee JAMMU: Massive landslides struck a route to Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra and a govt school in Poonch on Monday, leaving a pilgrim and a five-year-old student dead in the twin tragedies in J&K's Jammu region. Authorities briefly suspended the Vaishno Devi yatra after the landslide around 8am in Katra's Banganga, the starting point for the pilgrimage where mostly pony-riders gather along the old track and register before taking devotees to the cave shrine. The deceased was identified as Uppana (70) from Chennai. His wife K Radha (66) was among 10 other pilgrims injured and admitted to two Katra hospitals where their condition is stable, officials said. 'The yatra was suspended on the old track till 1pm as a precautionary measure but is progressing smoothly from the new Tarakote Marg route,' an official said. More pilgrims take the old route through Banganga as it is shorter and has other temples on way to the main Vaishno Devi shrine. Army troops joined the rescue. 'In response to the landslide in the general area of Katra, troops of White Knight Corps were swiftly mobilised to assist in relief and rescue operations in collaboration with civil authorities. Immediate support was provided to affected locals, showcasing Army's unwavering commitment to the people,' the Army's White Knight Corps said in a post on X. Hours later, a giant boulder rolled down the hillside and smashed into Govt Primary School in Bainch Kalsan area of Poonch, leaving five-year-old Ehsan Ali dead and five other children injured. Poonch DC Vikas Kundal sanctioned a compensation of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 each for the families of the injured children. J&K lieutenant-governor Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the deaths and ordered proper medical care for the injured. 'Deeply saddened by the tragic landslide at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in which a devotee lost his life. The news of the death of a five-year-old child due to a rockslide into the school in Poonch is heart-rending. May God give strength to the bereaved parents to bear this shock. I pray for the speedy recovery of other children,' Sinha posted on X. Omar echoed the grief. 'Chief minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic landslide at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine that claimed the life of a devotee. He has expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of a young student in the landslide that struck a govt school in Bainch Kalsan, Poonch,' Omar's office said in a statement on X.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Vaishno Devi landslide: Four injured near Banganga area, rescue operations underway
A landslide struck the old track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday morning, injuring at least four pilgrims. The incident occurred around 8:50 am near Gulshan Ka Langar, close to Banganga—the starting point for the yatra where pony riders typically gather—and was triggered by heavy rains that battered Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage. A rescue operation was immediately launched, and all four trapped pilgrims were evacuated to a nearby hospital. Authorities reported that rescue efforts were still underway according to the latest updates. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Healthcare Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Finance Leadership Management PGDM Public Policy Data Science others Artificial Intelligence MBA Project Management Degree MCA Others Data Science Design Thinking CXO Product Management Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details In a separate incident on the Baltal route of the Amarnath Yatra in Ganderbal district, a landslide on Wednesday evening washed four pilgrims downhill at Railpathri. Three sustained injuries, while a 55‑year‑old woman named Sona Bai from Rajasthan was declared dead upon arrival at Baltal base camp hospital. With her passing, the death toll in this year's Amarnath Yatra has risen to 15. Pilgrimage operations on both routes remain temporarily suspended due to unsafe weather conditions. Authorities have deployed rescue and relief teams and urged pilgrims to exercise caution as they work on clearing debris and restoring safe access.
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Vaishno Devi Landslide: This Is The Safest Route For Pilgrims Now
A landslide on Vaishno Devi's traditional route injured 4 pilgrims. Two key paths are shut, but travel continues via a safe stretch of the Tarakot route and Sanjhi Chhat Continuous rainfall over Katra and the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir triggered a landslide along the Vaishno Devi Yatra route on Monday, resulting in the collapse of a tin shed along the path. Rescue operations are currently underway, and the affected section of the route has been closed for safety reasons. Pilgrims Injured In Landslide On Traditional Route According to a PTI report, the landslide occurred on the old traditional route to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. The incident took place at approximately 8:50 am near Gulshan Ka Langar, close to Banganga, the starting point for the pilgrimage, where many pony operators are typically stationed. Officials confirmed that at least four pilgrims were injured in the incident. Emergency services responded swiftly, rescuing and evacuating those trapped to nearby hospitals. There are two main routes for pilgrims to reach the Vaishno Devi shrine from Katra: The Safe Route Currently Open Despite the closures, pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi continues. A safe stretch of the Tarakot route up to Ardhkuwari remains open, and devotees are being redirected through this route. After Ardhkuwari, the old route via Sanjhi Chhat is operational, and pilgrims are continuing their journey from there. Authorities are ensuring that all visitors are safely guided through this available path to prevent disruption for the many devotees arriving from across the country. First Published: July 21, 2025, 12:07 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
4 days ago
- Climate
- Mint
Vaishno Devi landslide injures 4 pilgrims after heavy rains; IMD issues ORANGE ALERT for Uttarakhand, 3 more states
Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district witnessed heavy rains following which a landslide occurred along the old track to the Vaishno Devi shrine on Monday, officials informed PTI. Around four pilgrims were injured in the incident that occurred around 8:50 AM at Gulshan Ka Langar near Banganga. Heavy downpour in the region reportedly triggered the landslide at the starting point for the yatra where mostly pony riders gather along the Vaishno Devi old track. The pilgrims visiting the shrine atop Trikuta hills were taking shelter in the Katra town base camp. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Coastal Karnataka and warned fisherman from venturing out into the Arabian Sea. The orange warning for heavy rains is also in place for Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Amid raging monsoon season, the rest of India is on yellow alert. The weather agency, in its latest press release stated, 'Isolated very heavy rainfall over Uttarakhand' onJuly 21 and 22, in 'Himachal Pradesh during 21st-23rd July with heavy rainfall likely over Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir during 21st-24th, West Uttar Pradesh on 20th & 21st; East Uttar Pradesh on 26th, West Rajasthan on 20th, East Rajasthan on 22nd & 26th, Haryana on 21st & 22nd July.' IMD further warned against 'isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall' in Kerala, Coastal and South Interior Karnataka until July 26, in Tamil Nadu till July22 and in Telangana until July 24. Heavy rains pounded Kerala a day before amid IMD's red alert. Rising water levels in rivers and dams, waterlogging and inundation of low-lying areas brought life to a standstill on Sunday. Delhi-NCR weather today is expected to be 'partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy sky. Very light to light rain accompanied with thunderstorms/lightning.' According to the department, the minimum temperature in the national capital on July 21 will be near normal around 26 to 28 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature will be below normal up to 1 to 2 degrees Celsius around 32 to 34 degrees Celsius.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
The perils of pilgrimage in the age of the spiritual bucket list
Earlier this week, the Amarnath Yatra, which witnessed a record turnout this year, was suspended after a woman was struck by a falling rock. Three weeks ago, a tourist bus carrying pilgrims to Badrinath fell into the Alaknanda river, killing four and injuring several other passengers. Around the same time, landslides along the Yamunotri route killed two on the way to the shrine. A day later, a helicopter heading to Guptkashi ferrying pilgrims from Kedarnath crashed, killing all seven on board. The recent Jaganath Puri Rath Yatra attracted more than 14 lakh visitors but the crush of people left three dead. Why are religious festivals, yatras and temple tours now so congested and prone to tragedy? How has the private act of devotion turned into a noisy, lethal affair of crowd management? Can religion practised at such a monumental scale even be considered sacred anymore? Inconvenience was once a crucial hallmark of any pilgrimage. In earlier days, when the Char Dhams were not connected by four-lane highways, when Vaishno Devi could not be approached by helicopter, and when the Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh didn't have luxury hotels at its doorstep, people walked. They trekked long distances on torturous mountain paths with narrow footholds, often camping in forests or along routes with barely any facilities. So selfless was the devotion that no pilgrimage was too arduous or painful. People moved slowly on foot, the old and infirm on horseback, making a journey in hope and uncertainty. God required the tedium of distance, patience and discomfort. Without it, what was the point? Holy Rush: Every year, the crowds increase as do reports of landslides and mishaps Today, travel to two of the country's most venerated places has changed dramatically. The approach to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was once through a torturous medley of narrow, disjointed streets that made the passage a difficult pilgrimage of discovery. Since the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the walk has been broadened, linking the city road approach to the river with a mix of local commerce — sari emporia, restaurants, sweet shops, and minor hotels. So too with Ayodhya. You fly out to the newly built airport, stay at a pre-booked hotel, visit the temple, eat out at a choice of restaurants, and live in relative comfort. Much the way you would at Disneyland or Niagara falls. Both places, more curated tourism than inconvenient pilgrimage. Perhaps this is inevitable, given the sheer numbers. In 1980, the annual number of visitors to Vaishno Devi was nine lakh. Now, the figure stands at almost a crore. The Amarnath Yatra saw one lakh devotees in the first six days before its suspension due to landslides. These phenomenal increases are not just a reminder of population statistics, but point to the increasing commercialisation of religion. Pilgrimage has become a kind of spiritual bucket list, a series of checkboxes on life's tourist map: Two Char Dhams done, two more to go. Ayodhya—checked. Next up, Amarnath and Kailash Mansarovar. Add to that the relentless pace of urbanisation in India's hill regions and the growing incidence of extreme weather events, and you have a recipe for more landslides, avalanches, swollen rivers, and flash floods. State govts will fall back on standard make-shift measures: widening trails where possible, proposing better crowd management, and increasing security personnel along routes. But without imposing controls on the number of pilgrims, these efforts amount to little. What's needed are strict caps on the number of daily visitors to match available facilities. More important is the removal of all forms of quick-access conveniences like ropeways or helicopter services so that pedestrian trails become the only option to sacred sites. Finally, there is a need to shut select temple and pilgrimage locations where excessive footfall is causing structural damage to buildings and the environment. Now that commerce is deeply entwined with religion, the line between pilgrimage and tourism has all but disappeared. The sacred is increasingly packaged as a spectacle—easy to reach, easy to consume. As a result, more people will continue to flock to temples, shrines, and sacred rivers. But in the process, their sanctity may be lost forever. Soon, the hills around Rishikesh are going to be added to another yatra on the pilgrimage map. A small, insignificant ashram that the Beatles visited in 1968 with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is to be refurbished into an international tourist attraction. Will Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr come for the inauguration? Will the Ambassador car they travelled in be upholstered with new seats? Some forgotten pilgrim places are best left forgotten or, at best, marked by a small plaque on a wall. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
