MUSTANG: The Muktinath temple area in Varagung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality-1 has turned deserted following heavy snowfall that has blocked the Kagbeni–Muktinath road section.
Due to thick snow accumulation on the blacktopped Kagbeni–Muktinath road, vehicles traveling from Jomsom have been unable to ascend toward Muktinath since Wednesday morning.
Although a team from the Armed Police Force attempted to clear the snow and reopen the blocked road earlier on Wednesday, the effort was halted amid forecasts of continued snowfall.
Ward Chairperson of Baragung Muktikshetra-1, Pramesh Gurung, said the road remains blocked due to heavy snow accumulation from the first bend of Kagbeni up to Kagbeni Selfie Park, Kalobhir, Khinga, Jharikot and surrounding areas.
With vehicular movement disrupted, some pilgrims have been traveling to Muktinath from Kagbeni on horseback, Gurung added.
Meanwhile, Manager of the Muktinath Development Committee, Dinesh Bhusal, said the snowfall has created serious challenges for the arrival of pilgrims and tourists at the temple.
“Before the snowfall, more than 500 visitors used to arrive daily. Since Wednesday, the number of pilgrims has become extremely negligible,” Bhusal said.
He added that until the Kagbeni–Muktinath road resumes operation, activities at the temple will remain limited to regular worship rituals only.
Heavy snowfall on Tuesday night has completely blanketed the Muktinath region in snow. Villages including Jharikot, Khinga, Ranipauwa Bazaar, Purang, Chhengur and nearby settlements under Baragung Muktikshetra have turned white due to thick snow cover.
Snow accumulation has also covered the temple premises, the 108 water spouts, and the bathing pond in front of the temple, causing difficulties for devotees attempting to bathe and perform rituals. Authorities have warned that extreme cold following the snowfall poses a risk of altitude sickness among pilgrims.
The District Police Office, Mustang, reported that the Kagbeni–Korala and Muktinath road sections have remained blocked since Wednesday due to heavy snowfall.
Police Inspector Santosh Basyal said up to two feet of snow has accumulated on the road from Chhusang to Korala, bringing traffic to a halt. As a result, pilgrims heading to Muktinath have been stranded in Kagbeni since early Wednesday morning.
Inspector Basyal added that if weather conditions improve, the Kagbeni road may reopen as the snow melts. He also said daily life in Upper Mustang has been affected due to the heavy snowfall.
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