Rudraprayag: The opening of Kedarnath Dham’s doors was marked by devotion and celebration, but tragedy struck on the very first day of the Char Dham Yatra 2026.
A pilgrim from Gujarat, Dilip Bhai Manu Mali (69), died of a heart attack, and his family’s ordeal has raised troubling questions about the arrangements at Kedarnath.
केदारनाथ यात्रा के पहले ही दिन जो हुआ वो नहीं होना चाहिए था, गुजरात से आए श्रद्धालु दिलीप भाई माली की हार्ट अटैक से मौत हो गई। बेटा हेमंत माली डीएम रुद्रप्रयाग विशाल मिश्रा से पिता की डेडबॉडी ले जाने के लिए हेली सर्विस की गुहार लगाता रहा, लेकिन डीएम ने DGCA की NOC नहीं होने का… pic.twitter.com/bCHSGsR2JP
— Ajit Singh Rathi (@AjitSinghRathi) April 22, 2026
Family’s struggle for help
According to his son, Hemant Mali, Dilip Bhai’s health suddenly deteriorated during the pilgrimage. The family immediately called for help, but despite assurances that assistance would arrive within 10 minutes, no medical support reached them for over an hour. Forced by circumstances, Hemant carried his father on his back to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The family alleged that the body remained on the helipad in the scorching sun for nearly two hours. They repeatedly requested helicopter transport for the body, but arrangements were delayed. Hemant questioned why helicopters are available for VIPs but not for ordinary devotees in emergencies.
Transport issues and costs
The family further claimed that when they sought ambulance services to transport the body to Delhi, they were asked to pay Rs 16,000. This demand added to their grief, raising concerns about the lack of dignified arrangements for pilgrims who die during the yatra.
Official response
Local police confirmed that Dilip Bhai died at the Primary Health Center in Kedarnath. His body was scheduled to be transported to Rudraprayag for post-mortem. However, helicopter services were delayed due to inspections by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Once clearance was given, the body was flown to Jamu (Guptkashi) and then taken to Rudraprayag District Hospital.
Ashish Chauhan, CEO of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UKADA), said the control room initially had no information about the body being on the helipad. Once informed, a helicopter was arranged within 15 minutes. He clarified that medical facilities and logistics are the responsibility of the local administration.
Another death in Sonprayag
In a separate incident, Rahul Chaudhary (32) from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, also died of a heart attack at Sonprayag, a key stop for Kedarnath pilgrims. His health deteriorated suddenly, and despite being rushed to the hospital by his uncle, doctors declared him dead.
Larger concerns
These incidents highlight the recurring challenges of the Kedarnath Yatra—lack of timely medical facilities, poor coordination, and inadequate transport arrangements. Despite claims of improved systems, devotees continue to face hardships during emergencies. Kedarnath is not just a pilgrimage site but a center of faith for millions, and such tragedies underline the urgent need to strengthen facilities and ensure dignity for all pilgrims.