Vadodara: Two pilgrims lost their lives and four others sustained injuries after a landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, sent large rocks and debris crashing onto a road near Maachi village on the Pavagadh hill route early Friday morning.
Details of the Incident
According to officials, the victims were traveling to the revered Mahakali temple atop Pavagadh hill when a portion of the hillside gave way. Several pilgrims became trapped under the falling rocks and debris. Passers-by promptly rushed to the scene and initiated rescue efforts before teams from the local administration and emergency services arrived to carry out relief and evacuation operations.
Injured and Deceased
All four injured individuals were transferred to a hospital in Halol for medical treatment. Officials reported that two of them were discharged after receiving care, while the remaining two continue to undergo treatment. The deceased were identified as Praveen Parmar, 52, and Gunvantsinh Parmar, 40, both residents of Kheda district.
Cause and Precautionary Measures
Authorities stated that continuous rainfall in the region weakened sections of the hillside, leading to the landslide. As a precautionary measure, vehicular movement on the affected stretch has been suspended until further notice. J D Patel, sub-divisional magistrate of Halol, said, “We have stopped movement on the route and are inspecting the stretch to identify other vulnerable spots. The yatra will resume only after all necessary safety checks are completed.”
Pilgrimage Destination
Pavagadh, home to the revered Mahakali temple, is among Gujarat's most visited pilgrimage destinations and attracts thousands of devotees throughout the year. This latest tragedy has once again raised concerns about safety on the hill route during the monsoon season.
Previous Incident
The incident also brings back memories of another fatal accident on Pavagadh hill. In September 2025, six people lost their lives when a trolley attached to a material ropeway, installed for redevelopment work on the hill, crashed during operation.
