Pilgrims Visiting Muktinath Stranded at Kagbeni Due to Snowfall

Heavy snowfall in Mustang has stranded pilgrims bound for the Muktinath temple at Kagbeni. Authorities said the Kagbeni–Muktinath road section was blocked by thick snow on Wednesday, causing travel disruption.

According to the District Police Office, Mustang, the Kagbeni–Muktinath and Kagbeni–Korala road sections have remained closed since Wednesday morning, leaving pilgrims unable to proceed further. Police Inspector Santosh Basyal said snowfall, which began since Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday, has caused snow accumulation of up to two feet in some stretches.

Authorities said the snowfall has left the blacktopped Kagbeni–Muktinath road covered with dense snow, preventing vehicles travelling from Jomsom from climbing uphill beyond Kagbeni since Wednesday morning.

A team from the Armed Police Force attempted to clear the road on Wednesday, but the operation was halted amid forecasts of further snowfall.

Pramesh Gurung, ward chair of Waragung Muktikshetra–1, said thick snow has accumulated from the first bend at Kagbeni through the Kagbeni Selfie Park, Kalobhir, Khinga and Jharkot, rendering the road impassable. He said some pilgrims have been attempting to reach Muktinath on horseback from Kagbeni despite the difficult conditions.

Dinesh Bhusal, manager of the Muktinath Development Committee, said snowfall has significantly disrupted the flow of pilgrims and tourists to the shrine. Before the snowfall, more than 500 visitors were arriving daily, but the number dropped sharply from Wednesday.

Bhusal said daily activities at the temple will remain limited to regular worship rituals until the Kagbeni–Muktinath road reopens.

The snowfall has blanketed the entire Muktinath area, including Jharkot, Khinga, Ranipauwa Bazaar, Purang and Chhengur villages. Thick snow has also accumulated at the temple premises, the 108 water spouts and the bathing pond in front of the shrine, causing difficulties for devotees performing ritual baths and worship.

Officials warned that extreme cold following the snowfall has increased the risk of cold-related illness among pilgrims.

Police Inspector Basyal said the roads could reopen once the weather improves and snow begins to melt, but added that daily life in Mustang has been affected by the snowfall. — RSS