Devotees Clash with Authorities Over Agastyamuni Yatra Route Obstruction

In Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, devotees participating in the Agastyamuni Maharaj Devra Yatra dismantled a gate obstructing their procession route, leading to a chaotic situation. Despite prior requests for gate removal, failure to address the issue heightened tensions, prompting authorities to file cases against 52 individuals involved.

Tension escalated in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district as devotees partaking in the Agastyamuni Maharaj Devra Yatra allegedly dismantled a gate that blocked their traditional procession route. The incident, which led to hours-long chaos on the national highway, highlights ongoing friction between religious participants and local authorities.

According to officials, the yatra began as scheduled from the Maharishi Agastyamuni temple but was halted at a sports department gate, creating a standstill that saw the deity's palanquin unable to proceed. This obstacle, regarded by participants as a disruption to sacred rituals, led them to forcibly clear the path after administrative inaction.

In response, the Rudraprayag district administration, led by District Magistrate Prateek Jain, has filed charges against 52 individuals. Despite previous assurances from authorities to address the matter, devotees' dissatisfaction reached a tipping point as their follow-up request received no action, leading to the eventual breakdown of the gate.

(With inputs from agencies.)