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Exhaustion Claims Life of Devotee on Pilgrimage to Basukinath Temple
28 Jul
Summary
- 24-year-old woman dies on Kanwar Yatra to Basukinath temple
- Over 24 others faint due to exhaustion on the pilgrimage
- Devotees attempt to reach temple within 24 hours, walking 100 km
On Monday, a tragic incident occurred during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage to the Basukinath temple in Dumka, India. A 24-year-old woman named Sunita Devi, who had just gotten married in March this year, died after collapsing on the temple premises. Sunita was a Dak Kanwariya, meaning she had fetched water from the Ganges in Barari, Bhagalpur, and walked non-stop for 100 kilometers to reach the crowded sanctum sanctorum of the Basukinath temple within 24 hours.
Sadly, Sunita's exhaustion from the long and arduous journey proved too much, and she collapsed inside the temple. Despite being rushed to the Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital, she could not be revived. In addition to Sunita's tragic demise, over 24 other Kanwariyas also fainted due to exhaustion while making the pilgrimage.
The Basukinath temple saw a massive influx of devotees, with over 1.75 lakh offerings made on the third Somvari of the auspicious Shravan month. The nearby Baidyanath Dham temple also recorded a footfall of 3.75 lakh by the evening. While the other Kanwariyas who fainted were administered medicines and soon regained consciousness, three of them had to be admitted to a local community health center.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the immense physical toll the Kanwar Yatra can take on devotees, many of whom undertake this pilgrimage with great fervor and dedication. Authorities will need to carefully consider ways to ensure the safety and well-being of the millions of Kanwariyas who embark on this annual journey.
