Two pilgrims returning from Gosaikunda were injured after slipping on a downhill path on Tuesday afternoon. The injured have been identified as 32-year-old Bipin Bartaula from Hetauda and 62-year-old Haribahadur Tiwari from Pokhara. They were rescued from the site with the help of Rasuwa police and brought to the district hospital in Dhunche for treatment, according to Dr. Amitkumar Shah of Rasuwa District Hospital.
The incident occurred as pilgrims were making their way back from the sacred lake following the Janai Purnima festival. Despite the challenging conditions, around 8,400 pilgrims attended the festival this year, with 3,697 of them suffering from altitude sickness, as reported by the local health office.
Although there was a slight reduction in altitude sickness cases compared to last year, four individuals had to be airlifted by the Shreenath Battalion of the Nepal Army from Gosaikunda to the district hospital. To ensure the safety of pilgrims, the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force were stationed at various points along the route.
This year, with the support of the health office and district hospital, a ‘Health Desk’ was set up in Dhunche, where 2,020 pilgrims were examined and given medication to prevent altitude sickness. The district Ayurveda service center, in collaboration with the Red Cross, treated 240 pilgrims, while the Shreenath Battalion provided care to 2,017 pilgrims at Cholangpati. Additionally, the Gosaikunda Rural Municipality and health office operated a camp at Lauribina, offering primary care and consultations to 950 individuals, according to District Health Chief Bhimsagar Guragain.
Adverse weather conditions also affected the pilgrimage, as those planning to travel to Gosaikunda by helicopter were unable to do so due to inclement weather. Senior Captain Vivek Khadka, Director of Altitude Air, confirmed that flights were grounded due to unfavorable conditions.
Despite the challenges, a total of 11,000 pilgrims visited Gosaikunda from Nag Panchami to Janai Purnima, generating an estimated NPR 80 million in business, according to Nisan Gajurel, District President of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association. However, there were complaints from pilgrims about the high prices charged by vendors during the festival. Sanjeev D.M., Chairman of the Gosaikunda Area Development Committee, expressed gratitude for the support from all sectors in making the Gosaikunda festival a success.
