Tragedy Strikes Devotees on Sacred Pilgrimage in Jharkhand

A tragic incident unfolded in Jharkhand's Dumka district as a dak-bum devotee died during her pilgrimage, with three others falling unconscious and being hospitalized, according to local officials.

The dak-bum group are kanwariyas who ambitiously walk around 100 km non-stop, carrying sacred river water from Bihar's Barari Ganga Ghat to Basukinath in Dumka, and sometimes to Baba Baidyanath temple in Deoghar. They are admired for completing their journey within 24 hours while fasting.

Superintendent Ajay Kumar Chaudhury from Phulo Jhano Medical College confirmed a woman's death, while Doctor Dinbandhu Rikshit treated three unconscious women kanwariyas at a local health center. Authorities reported that 1,74,671 devotees, including 14,506 dak-bum kanwariyas, participated in the offerings on Shravan's auspicious Monday.

(With inputs from agencies.)