Devotees at the Kedarnath Temple during the opening ceremony on Wednesday | Photo credit: PTI
For eight years, Hemant Mali, a seasoned tour operator from Baroda, has guided thousands of pilgrims on the Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. This year, he brought his parents for the yatra for the first time, fulfilling their long-held wish.
However, on Wednesday morning, as the gates of the Kedarnath temple opened for the first time this season, his 78-year-old father Dilip Mali collapsed near the shrine, beginning his ordeal, which Mr Hemant says is far from over.
Published – 23 Apr 2026 09:03 IST
