When roads collapse, Faith walks on
People walking on foot from Bharmour to Chamba. Aug 2025
Chamba/Shimla, Aug 29,
On the broken trail between Bharmour and Chamba, a human chain winds its way across landslide-scarred slopes. Pilgrims of the Manimahesh Yatra—once carried by buses and jeeps—now walk mile after mile, their silhouettes etched against cliffs where the road has vanished. Videos circulating on social media capture this raw struggle—thousands of devotees trudging across treacherous ridges, a living reminder of resilience in the face of nature’s fury.
Relentless monsoon rains have battered Himachal Pradesh, cutting off Chamba from Bharmour and leaving over thousands of devotees stranded in the high valleys. Bridges have crumbled, slopes have slid, and stretches of highway lie buried under boulders. For days, the government has struggled to clear routes, even as rescue teams and officials fan out across the district. Helicopter sorties and road-clearing operations are underway, but progress remains painfully slow.
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And so, the instinct to survive has taken over. Pilgrims, some walking nearly 80 kilometres, have chosen their feet over waiting for machines. Men, women, and children edge across slippery ridges and makeshift pathways, balancing faith and fear with every step. They walk not in silence but in solidarity—offering hands to strangers, sharing packets of food, and forging bonds born in hardship.
Local villagers, themselves battling the same storm, have opened their doors. They serve tea, bread, and shelter to the weary, becoming the first responders where state machinery has yet to arrive. “Not even a JCB was visible, but the locals saved us,” said one pilgrim from Gurdaspur, summing up the spirit of grassroots resilience.
The state government insists all pilgrims are safe and efforts are in motion to restore connectivity. Yet on the ground, survival remains a collective act. The weather still threatens, the earth remains fragile, and official assurances can do little against the force of nature.
Still, as the ragged procession of pilgrims winds its way down from Bharmour, one truth shines brighter than the devastation: when the road ends, the will to endure carries people forward. What unfolds on this treacherous stretch is not just an exodus, but a story of human resilience—where faith, community, and sheer grit become the bridges that no landslide can wash away.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.