Daijiworld Media Network - Gwalior
Gwalior, Jul 23: In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the spiritual fervour of the Kanwar Yatra, four Kanwariyas lost their lives in a horrific road accident on the Agra-Mumbai National Highway near Sheetla Mata Mandir Gate in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
The victims, part of a 13-member group returning on foot from Bhadavna after collecting holy water for the ritual Jalabhishek, were struck by a speeding car around 1 a.m. The car reportedly suffered a tyre burst on the Shivpuri Link Road, veered off course, and ploughed into the group before overturning into roadside bushes.
Kanwariyas are devotees of Lord Shiva who undertake a sacred pilgrimage during the holy month of Shravan, carrying water in pots tied to a bamboo pole known as a Kanwar or Kavad.
According to police, three pilgrims died instantly at the scene, while a fourth succumbed to injuries at Jaya Arogya Hospital (JAH). Two more victims remain in critical condition.
“The accident involved six individuals from the group. Sadly, we lost four, and two are still fighting for their lives,” police officials confirmed.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav took to social media platform X to express his condolences. "I am deeply pained by the death of the Kanwariyas. I pray to Baba Mahakal for peace to the departed souls and strength to their families," he wrote, announcing an ex gratia payment of ?4 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
City Superintendent of Police Heena Khan stated that the car involved was found abandoned at the crash site. Authorities have traced the vehicle’s owner and are working to identify and locate those inside the car at the time of the incident.
The deceased pilgrims were residents of Simaria Panchayat in Ghatigaon, and three belonged to the same family. The group was nearing the end of their 35-kilometre journey home when the tragedy struck.
Emergency response teams from multiple police stations—Kampu, Janakganj, Jhansi Road, and Madhoganj—rushed to the scene, rescuing the injured from a roadside ditch and transporting them to the trauma centre.
The accident has cast a shadow over the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, which draws thousands of devotees across India. It has also raised renewed concerns about the safety of pilgrims walking along busy highways.
In response, police deployment in the area has been intensified to ensure safety and prevent similar mishaps.