Two pilgrims die on opening day of Chardham Yatra-2026
Two pilgrims participating in the Chardham Yatra died on Sunday, the opening day of the 2026 pilgrimage season, reportedly due to suspected asphyxia.
Two pilgrims participating in the Chardham Yatra died on Sunday, the opening day of the 2026 pilgrimage season, reportedly due to suspected asphyxia.
A two - wheeler and a car were also damaged in the collision, a police spokesman said.
Gangasagar Island continued to witness an overwhelming influx of pilgrims on Thursday, the second day of the holy bath following the main Makar Sankranti Shahi Snan, as the auspicious period extended this year.
The direction follows the massive landslide triggered by incessant rains in which 35 devotees lost their lives at Adhkuwari, Katra, on 26 August 2025, allegedly due to criminal negligence of the officials.
The authorities have identified 20 of those dead. The victims were from across the country, officials said.
Over four lakh pilgrims have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra during the last 24 days as another batch of 2,484 devotees left Jammu for Kashmir on Tuesday.
More than three lakh devotees performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra during the last 16 days, as another batch of 4,875 Yatris left for the Valley on Monday, officials said.
The heavily guarded convoy set off on the journey to its sacred destination amid chants of Vedic Mantras from Bhagwati Nagar base camp here.
Around 5000 yatris on board 176 buses left for different destinations of Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela viz Tulmulla (Ganderbal), Tikker (Kupwara), Devsar and Manzam (Kulgam) and Logripora (Anantnag).
The decision has been taken in view of massive online bookings for pilgrimage starting from May 10, 2024.
