Shrikhand Mahadev, Kinner Kailash and now Manimahesh Yatra witness monsoon havoc
Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA: As Himachal Pradesh reels under a series of cloudbursts, flashfloods and landslides, spiritual unease is beginning to take root. With three of the state’s most sacred pilgrimage sites — Shrikhand Mahadev, Kinner Kailash and Manimahesh — each witnessing severe weather events over the past two years, a chilling question is being whispered in hushed tones: Is the ancient “curse of Kangra’s witches” finally unfolding?
During a recent Dev Jagran ritual at the Baglamukhi Temple in Segli (Tungal Valley, Mandi), a chilling message emerged through Devvani (divine prophecy): “The witches have triumphed.”
The temple priest relayed that this symbolic “victory” is a warning — a signal of imbalance between nature and mankind, one that could manifest in the form of earthquakes, flashfloods and untimely deaths.
Below, we explore why the disasters seem concentrated around these three major pilgrimage sites and what deeper meaning people are beginning to attach to these events.
- Three pilgrimages, three disasters: Divine places or disturbed ecosystem?
• Shrikhand Mahadev: In July 2024, a cloudburst near the summit led to devastating floods in the Tirthan valley Kullu and parts of Shimla district; 36 pilgrims went missing, 21 remain untraced. After the yatra, environmental groups collected massive amounts of trash from the route, a sign of the ecological stress this sacred site now faces.
• Kinner Kailash: This year’s pilgrimage was abruptly cancelled in July 2025 due to heavy rains and flashfloods. NDRF and Army teams had to evacuate thousands. Locals and temple authorities, angered by increasing pollution, have begun opposing the yatra itself.
• Manimahesh Yatra: Thousands are currently stranded due to flashfloods in Bharmour. In July, a nine-day cleanup drive between Hadsar and Dal Lake collected over 5.6 tonnes of waste — evidence of rising environmental degradation. Even local MLA Dr Janak Raj took to social media urging devotees to preserve the sanctity of the spiritual trail. - Devvani’s warning: Nature is pushing back
During the annual divine communication (Devvani) at Baglamukhi Temple, the prophecy blamed human interference with “Devniti” (divine order) and “Prakriti” (nature).
The warning was that disasters will intensify if humans continue to pollute sacred spaces and disturb ecological balances. The symbolic mention of “witches’ victory” is being interpreted by locals as nature reclaiming her territory. - Experts blame climate shift, tourism boom, system failure
An environment expert said that climate change, global warming and orographic lifting (where hot air rises over mountains and cools rapidly) are intensifying rainfall in Himachal. The result: more frequent and severe cloudbursts, particularly in areas with poor drainage and disturbed topography.
Pilgrimage sites, once remote and pristine, are now overcrowded, with lakhs of devotees visiting annually, leading to massive trash accumulation; deforestation and soil erosion; water source contamination and overstressed infrastructure, he said.
