Bengaluru: What began as a spiritual journey to the Himalayas turned into a harrowing ordeal for 38-year-old Rajani Maski and her husband Raghuveer Yavagal. The couple, who joined a group of 130 devotees from Isha Foundation on a pilgrimage to Mansarovar, has now been stranded at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport for more than 24 hours, caught in the middle of Nepal’s escalating political unrest.
Pilgrimage turns into panic
Rajani and her husband had been in Mansarovar for the past 10 days as part of their spiritual tour. On their return journey, they reached Kathmandu on Monday night at 10.30 pm. Instead of peace, they were met with chaos—smoke in the air, burning tyres, and a tense atmosphere on the streets.
“We don’t know what to do. The airport gates are shut, they won’t let us out, and the military and police are pushing us back inside. There is no food, no water, and no shops open to even buy something to eat,” Rajani said in a distressed voice while speaking to the media.
The couple hoped to board a flight back to Bengaluru on Tuesday afternoon, but their plan collapsed as they found the airport under lockdown with shuttered gates, cancelled flights, and heavy barricades.
Stranded without essentials
Inside the terminal, close to 500–1,000 passengers were reportedly packed together, including nearly 200 from Karnataka. Most had not carried food or water, assuming they would be able to purchase supplies at the airport. However, with shops closed, desperation mounted.
“We are stuck in a closed room like prisoners. People are panicking, some are crying, and others are falling sick. There is only one charging point for everyone, which makes it even more difficult to stay connected with our families back home,” Rajani said.
Several passengers debated leaving the airport to find shelter in nearby hotels, but the volatile situation outside made it risky. Many felt trapped both inside and outside the terminal.
Karnataka government steps in
The unrest in Nepal stems from large-scale protests by students and youngsters that have gradually turned violent. With growing concern for citizens abroad, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah directed chief secretary Shalini Rajaneesh to coordinate with authorities and ensure safe passage for stranded Kannadigas.
The state government has begun discussions with relevant agencies to arrange their safe return.
Isha Foundation assures safety
A spokesperson from Isha Foundation confirmed that all devotees were safe. “Our team is taking care of them. We are in touch with the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and are coordinating their return soon,” the spokesperson said.
Conclusion
As uncertainty continues in Kathmandu, families of the stranded passengers back in Bengaluru wait anxiously for updates. The combined efforts of the Karnataka government, the Indian Embassy, and organisations like Isha Foundation are now crucial to ensure that the yatris return home safely from a journey that began as a spiritual retreat but ended in fear and uncertain