A Manimahesh pilgrim from Punjab died early Wednesday after a boulder crashed through the sunroof of the SUV he was travelling in on the Chamba-Bharmour road in Himachal Pradesh.
Boulder strikes SUV during Manimahesh yatra journey
The accident happened around 3 am near Mehla when four friends from Punjab were on their way to Bharmour to undertake the Manimahesh yatra. Police said a boulder suddenly rolled down the hillside and struck the vehicle. The rock smashed through the SUV's sunroof and hit one of the occupants directly.
The deceased has been identified as Makhan Singh (40), a resident of Maliyan village in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. He sustained fatal injuries in the incident.
Victim declared brought dead at Chamba hospital
Singh was rushed to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital, Chamba, where doctors declared him brought dead. The three other occupants of the vehicle survived the accident.
The Manimahesh yatra is a significant pilgrimage in the region, drawing devotees from across Punjab and other states. The route through the mountainous terrain of Chamba district is known for its challenging conditions, including the risk of falling rocks and landslides.
Our Take: Mountain roads demand greater safety measures
This tragic incident highlights the real dangers that pilgrims face on mountain routes. While the Manimahesh yatra holds deep religious significance for thousands of devotees, the journey itself carries serious risks that cannot be ignored.
To put it plainly, this was a freak accident — a boulder striking a moving vehicle's sunroof at 3 am is not something anyone could have easily predicted. But it raises a fair question: are enough safety measures in place on these pilgrimage routes? Rockfall barriers, better warning systems, and stricter checks on vehicles travelling through landslide-prone zones could help reduce such risks.
For the thousands who undertake this yatra every year, this incident is a sobering reminder of the dangers that come with mountain travel. Our thoughts are with Makhan Singh's family and friends. The loss of a life during what should have been a spiritual journey is deeply tragic.