Helicopter services to the sacred Gosainkunda lake were disrupted due to dense fog and adverse weather conditions during the Mahashivaratri festival, affecting hundreds of pilgrims attempting to reach the high-altitude pilgrimage site. Religious pilgrims traveling to the sacred high-altitude site of Gosainkunda in Rasuwa District for the Maha Shivaratri festival faced significant disruptions due to adverse weather conditions. Dense fog along the route from Lauribinayak to Gosainkunda led to the suspension of helicopter services, affecting more than 50 pilgrims seeking to visit the holy site.
According to local business operators, three helicopters bound for Gosainkunda had to return mid-air from Chandanbari due to deteriorating weather. Passengers onboard flights operated by Prabhu Air and Altitude Air were safely brought back to Kathmandu.
Multiple Airlines Affected by Weather
The helicopter services that were disrupted included flights by Simrik Air, Fistal Air, Annapurna Air, and Mustang Air.
While some operators managed to operate morning flights normally, several flights had to be suspended after the third sortie, with services resuming only after 11:00 a.m. due to thick fog and reduced visibility in the high Himalayan terrain.
Religious Rituals Conducted at Gosainkunda
Despite the flight disruptions, Simrik Air conducted a traditional ceremony at the newly constructed Shiva temple near the Gosainkunda water outlet. A team led by the company’s Executive Director, Bishnu Basnet, and priest Rishikesh Bhattarai performed special rituals and worship to honor Lord Shiva.
Flight operations manager Ravi Pokharel confirmed that the religious ceremony was carried out according to Shastric traditions, ensuring spiritual observances for pilgrims unable to reach the site due to weather.
Pilgrims’ Belief in Gosainkunda’s Healing Powers
According to local religious belief, bathing in the sacred waters of Gosainkunda and offering prayers to Lord Shiva is said to cure ailments, bring peace and prosperity, and fulfill devotees’ wishes. Pilgrims traveling during Maha Shivaratri consider this ritual particularly auspicious, highlighting the spiritual importance of the high-altitude lake despite the challenges posed by extreme weather.
Safety Remains Priority
Authorities and helicopter operators emphasized that the suspension of flights was necessary for passenger safety, citing rapidly changing weather conditions typical of the high Himalayas. Officials urged pilgrims to plan travel carefully and adhere to airline advisories to avoid risks during the winter and festival seasons when fog and snowfall are common.
The disruption at Gosainkunda underscores the challenges of high-altitude pilgrimage travel in Nepal, where weather conditions can change rapidly, affecting both aviation operations and the flow of devotees to sacred sites.
