Kedarnath pilgrimage halted after boulder collapse kills pilgrim

A pilgrim lost his life after being struck by falling boulders near Cheerbasa Helipad on the route to the sacred Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand, triggering an immediate suspension of the pilgrimage. The incident prompted authorities to implement safety measures along one of India's most frequented spiritual routes.

Official sources confirmed that travellers proceeding towards Kedarnath have been instructed to remain at Sonprayag and Gaurikund, key staging points on the pilgrimage route. Those returning from the shrine have been similarly advised to halt at Jangalchatti until further notice.

The Kedarnath Yatra, which attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees annually, is among the most challenging high-altitude pilgrimages in India. The temporary suspension reflects ongoing concerns about geological hazards in the region, which lies in a seismically active zone prone to rockfalls and landslides during certain seasons.

Authorities did not immediately announce a timeline for resumption of the pilgrimage. The incident underscores the risks faced by pilgrims traversing the treacherous mountain terrain, particularly during peak pilgrimage seasons when visitor numbers surge significantly along the narrow pathways.