Visakhapatnam, August 29: A group of 26 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh narrowly escaped a sudden flood in Nepal while on their Kailash Mansarovar journey. All members have returned home safely, their faces reflecting immense relief and joy.
In an interview, pilgrim Gadu Aliweni shared, “Last Friday, we arrived in Kathmandu from Bagdogra Airport. We expected to receive our visas promptly and proceed, but we had to wait three days. Finally, last night, the visas arrived. As soon as we got them, all 26 of us from Andhra and 28 from West Bengal rejoiced, thinking, ‘Lord Shiva has granted us approval.’”
Aliweni added, “The day before, when the visa delay occurred, everyone was very disheartened; people wondered why Lord Shiva was stopping us, fearing we might not be able to go at all. So, when the visas came through, our happiness knew no bounds. However, the next morning, we faced a disaster.”
Another pilgrim, Gadu Thatinaidu, recounted, “Under the Mansarovar Kailash journey, on the night of the 21st, we departed from Bhogapuram International Airport. However, due to delays in obtaining our visas from China, we had to stay in Kathmandu for three days. Members of the Isha Foundation and groups from West Bengal also received group visas. We were all traveling together, and because of the visa delay, we had to remain in Kathmandu for three days. The next day, around 8:30 PM, we received our visas. But the following morning, we encountered the tragedy.”
Gadu Venkataappadu, Chairman of the Visakhapatnam District Livestock Development Association, explained, “We are from Bhimunipatnam in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. We left on the 21st, traveled to Delhi, and then went to Kathmandu for the Mansarovar journey. Upon arrival, the Chinese government delayed our visas by three days due to floods on the route to Mansarovar. In a way, we feel this was a blessing; had there been no delay, we could have been trapped in the affected area. This way, we were saved.”
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