A sacred pilgrimage turned into tragedy in Rasuwa district as two young men who went missing during a holy bath at Gosainkunda Lake were found dead. The victims have been identified as 28-year-old Manoj Neupane of Belbari Municipality-11, and 26-year-old Sujan Dhakal of Biratnagar Municipality-3, according to Hem Bahadur Shahi, Chief of the District Police Office in Rasuwa.
The incident occurred on Sunday when the two were taking part in the annual Janai Purnima holy bath ritual at the revered alpine lake. Gosainkunda, located at an altitude of 4,380 meters above sea level, attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Nepal and neighboring India during the Janai Purnima festival, who brave the frigid waters in an act of religious devotion.
The young men had reportedly gone into the glacial lake early in the morning along with a group of fellow pilgrims. However, panic arose when the two failed to return from the water. Despite immediate efforts from onlookers and volunteers, the duo remained missing throughout Sunday, prompting a coordinated search operation.
Search and Recovery Efforts
A joint search mission involving security personnel and local hotel entrepreneurs was launched to locate the missing men. The challenging terrain, thin air, and freezing temperatures made the rescue operation extremely difficult. After hours of combing through the lake and surrounding areas, the search team finally recovered both bodies from the icy waters on Monday.
“The search was complicated due to the lake’s high altitude and cold temperatures. With the help of local volunteers and hotel operators familiar with the terrain, we were able to locate and recover the bodies,” said Chief Shahi.
Local authorities suspect that extreme cold may have led to the tragic outcome. The lake’s temperature is dangerously low, especially during the early morning hours, and hypothermia is a serious risk even to physically fit individuals. “It is likely that one of them slipped or lost control due to the cold, and the other entered the water in an attempt to rescue him. Unfortunately, both may have succumbed to the freezing conditions,” said a police source.
Helicopter Unable to Airlift Bodies Due to Bad Weather
Plans to transport the bodies to Kathmandu for post-mortem examination were disrupted by severe weather conditions. A helicopter dispatched from Kathmandu could not land in Gosainkunda due to poor visibility and stormy conditions on Monday, police reported. Authorities are now exploring alternative options, including waiting for a weather window or transporting the bodies to a lower altitude on foot.
“Because of the unpredictable mountain weather, we are not able to confirm when the bodies can be flown to Kathmandu,” said an official from the Rasuwa District Police Office. “Efforts are underway to secure a viable route and coordinate with the families of the deceased.”
Religious Pilgrimage Turns Fatal
Every year during Janai Purnima, thousands of Hindu devotees make the arduous trek to Gosainkunda, believing that bathing in the lake cleanses sins and brings spiritual purification. Situated in the Langtang National Park, Gosainkunda is considered a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists and holds special significance in the month of Shrawan.
The incident has cast a shadow over this year’s pilgrimage season, with many pilgrims expressing sorrow over the tragedy. Local hoteliers and volunteers, who assist pilgrims each year with food, lodging, and safety, are calling for stronger safety measures and medical preparedness in the future.
“This is a painful loss. We have been advocating for years to have medical personnel stationed at the site during the pilgrimage season,” said a local hotel owner who participated in the rescue. “Pilgrims underestimate the danger posed by the cold and altitude.”
Call for Improved Safety Measures
Following the incident, local authorities and stakeholders have renewed calls for the government to implement stricter safety guidelines for high-altitude pilgrimages. Suggestions include deploying medical teams, ensuring the presence of trained rescue personnel, and educating pilgrims on the risks of cold water immersion and altitude sickness.
Experts emphasize that while the spiritual significance of Gosainkunda is immense, awareness and preparation are crucial to avoid such tragedies. “People come with deep faith, but often with limited understanding of how deadly these conditions can be,” said a health worker based in Dhunche.
Families in Mourning
Back in Belbari and Biratnagar, the families of the deceased are in deep mourning. Both young men were known to be active in their communities and had embarked on the pilgrimage together with friends. Messages of condolence have poured in from local residents and religious communities across the country.
While the exact cause of death will be confirmed after a post-mortem examination, the incident has underscored the need for better emergency response infrastructure in Nepal’s mountainous pilgrimage sites.
As the nation reflects on the tragic loss, many are urging that the spiritual sanctity of places like Gosainkunda be preserved through a combination of reverence and responsibility. Without adequate precautions, what should be a journey of faith can too easily turn into a journey of no return.
