Hanuman Ansh director Vishal Chaturvedi urges caution as Kainchi Dham sees huge rush

Hanuman Ansh director Dr Vishal Chaturvedi has urged devotees to check conditions before heading to Kainchi Dham. His appeal comes as heavy crowds, long traffic jams and fresh interest in Neem Karoli Baba strain the Uttarakhand shrine and nearby roads.

In Short

• Kainchi Dham faces heavy rush causing long traffic jams and overcrowding
• Director Vishal Chaturvedi urges devotees to check conditions before visiting
• Crowds surged after Hanuman Ansh film release but not solely blamed on it

The rush at Kainchi Dham has become so heavy that Hanuman Ansh director Dr Vishal Chaturvedi has now asked devotees to think twice before making the trip. In a video message shared on Instagram on Sunday evening, Chaturvedi urged people to check the situation at the Uttarakhand shrine before setting out, amid reports of long traffic jams and a sharp rise in visitors.

Videos from the area have been widely shared on social media, showing long lines of vehicles on the roads leading to Kainchi Dham and large crowds outside the ashram. Some of the posts have also linked the sudden increase in visitors to Hanuman Ansh, which tells the story of Neem Karoli Baba.

Chaturvedi, however, stopped short of claiming that the film was solely responsible for the rush. In his video message, he acknowledged that people were saying the crowds had increased after the film's release, but said devotees should first find out what the situation is like before planning a visit.

"Kainchi Dham is overcrowded and people have said that this is because of the influence of Hanuman Ansh. If that is the case, and if that is not the case, even then, people should visit there only after knowing the present conditions," he said.

He also suggested that those unable to reach Kainchi Dham could consider other places associated with Neem Karoli Baba, including Neem Karoli village and Vrindavan. His concern, he said, was to avoid a situation where women and children were left feeling suffocated or people spent hours trapped in traffic.

The director added, “It is my humble request that if there is overcrowding, please consider visiting other places. Don’t become part of a situation where women and children feel suffocated or get stuck in traffic jams.”

Watch the video here:

What is happening in Kainchi Dham?

The crowd began building around the long weekend, with October 2 falling on a government holiday, followed by Saturday and Sunday. Several popular Uttarakhand destinations saw a similar surge, with Mussoorie also reporting a heavy influx of tourists.

Thousands of vehicles from Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab were reported on the roads. The Haldwani-Kainchi Dham route, along with roads towards Nainital and Almora, was particularly affected.

What would usually be a two- or three-hour journey reportedly stretched to 10 or even 12 hours for some travellers. Videos showed cars, buses and two-wheelers moving slowly through the narrow stretches around Bhimtal, Bhowali and Garam Pani. Another widely shared clip showed a large crowd outside the ashram.

The congestion hasn't only affected tourists and pilgrims. Residents have reportedly started leaving home before 5 am to avoid the worst of the traffic, while some are avoiding the route altogether. The road is also a key link to the hills, carrying medicines, groceries and other essential supplies.

Watch a video here:

The shrine's daily footfall, previously estimated at around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors, has reportedly crossed 6,000 on some days. Weekend crowds have been estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 or more, with the long weekend bringing an even bigger influx.

Hanuman Ansh's box-office success increases hype

Kainchi Dham is a spiritual ashram and Hanuman temple founded in 1964 by Neem Karoli Baba. His devotees regard him as an incarnation of Lord Hanuman, and the shrine has long attracted visitors from across India and abroad.

That interest came alongside an unexpected theatrical run for Hanuman Ansh. Made on a reported budget of around Rs 2 crore, the film has found a much wider audience than initially expected.

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film had earned around Rs 321.73 crore in India nett by Day 58, while its India gross stood at around Rs 379 crore. Its worldwide gross was estimated at Rs 419 crore.

- Ends