Panic was caused at Girnar Hills in Gujarat, Junagadh, where more than 150 pilgrims were left stranded halfway during the pilgrimage following a sudden bout of heavy rain in the area. The irreversible rain arrived without warning and created flash floods and dangerous moving waters, rupturing the peaceful pilgrimage, making the spiritual journey into a stressful experience.
It happened in the neighbourhood of the Jatashankar Mahadev Temple, a favourite resting-place to those who attempted the long ascent of more than 10,000 steps to the sacred shrines on Girnar Mountain. With the increase in rain, the water poured down the rocky walls and flooded the small trails, and the steep steps were slippery and dangerous. Old people, some pilgrims, as well as children, were caught unawares and could not find their way down since the currents were so fast.
Photographs of the location revealed pilgrims attempting to trek across torrential streams of water via tree branches and ropes, which indicated the gravity of the matters at hand. Local reports were telling that flocks of worshippers had sought the refuge of temple complexes and caves that were nearby to shield them against the driving rain. The water levels that caused an upsurge unexpectedly along the sides made the visitors and the locals too concerned about their security.
Police officers did not hesitate to take action once news about the stranded devotees was received. With the help of the forest officials and local volunteers, rescue groups started to get to those who were stranded higher up in the hill. Alerts warning people about safety were given, and people were urged to stay down the mountain as long as the weather was not stable.
Girnar hills are a sacred place of both the Hindu and Jain people, and the hills draw thousands to follow. This lofty ascent, however, is frequently very unsafe during the monsoon season. Its rocky and forest-covered land would easily cause flash floods and landslides when it suddenly started to rain, so the pilgrims could become victims unprepared. This episode has stirred up again the issue of safety precautions during the rainy season of large gatherings.
In the evening, an attempt was made to get the pilgrims down safely. Although there were no reported deaths, several people were shaken by the scary situation. To curb such cases in future, the district administration is requested to revise weather preparedness at major pilgrimage centres, particularly during the monsoon.
In the present case, the marooned pilgrims are being helped to form in a controlled manner downwards owing to dwindling rain, but there is a lesson already borne out of the experience, that of the fickle dangers that attend on following religion and the fury of nature together present.
