(OT Webdesk)In a dramatic overnight operation, 17 pilgrims from Chhattisgarh were rescued after being stranded for over 15 hours in Odisha’s remote Gandhamardan hill range near the Kapildhara Waterfall.
The group, which included elderly individuals, youth, and children, had embarked on a religious trek between the sacred shrines of Nrusinghanath and Harishankar.
Caught off guard by darkness and heavy rainfall, the pilgrims lost their way and took shelter on a forested plateau. Around 9 PM, they contacted local authorities via a toll-free emergency number, prompting a swift response.
A 40-member rescue team—comprising forest officials, police personnel, and temple staff—launched a search through dense terrain. By morning, all 17 individuals were found unharmed and escorted back to safety.
Executive Officer Purushottam Pradhan confirmed the successful rescue and ensured the pilgrims were served hot meals and prasad at the Nrusinghanath temple premises.
This incident highlights both the challenges of trekking in monsoon-hit forest regions and the efficiency of Odisha’s emergency response system.
