In a dramatic escape from disaster, 10 pilgrims from Ranchi avoided tragedy when their wooden boat capsized in the Narmada River close to Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Khandwa district. Rapid response from SDRF and local divers ensured everyone’s safe return to shore on April 10.
The group was en route from Omkareshwar Math to Nagar Ghat, immersed in the spiritual circumambulation of the iconic Shiva shrine. A collision with a hidden rock triggered the overturning, as detailed by Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Rai.
Speaking to the press, SP Rai highlighted the life jackets’ heroism: “They kept the pilgrims buoyant until our teams arrived.” The coordinated effort by disaster response units and expert divers wrapped up without a single injury.
This sacred site, one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas, buzzes with devotees year-round, peaking during auspicious times. While boat journeys enhance the parikrama experience, they carry inherent dangers from the river’s rocky bed, variable flows, and dam-induced surges.
Echoing persistent calls for better ghats safety, the event revives memories of past fatalities from similar accidents—submerged obstacles and treacherous currents claiming lives repeatedly.
Fortunately, these Ranchi visitors emerged unscathed, aided promptly and tended to afterward. Officials are now probing the incident, pushing for stricter boating regulations to protect the faithful navigating these holy waters.
