Bargarh/Balangir: As many as 17 Bol Bam devotees from Chhattisgarh were stranded on a hilltop in the Gandhamardan mountain range, which stretches from Nrusinghanath in Bargarh district to Harishankar in Balangir. The group reportedly lost their way in the dense forest while trekking at night amid heavy rain and thunderstorms.

According to reports, the location of the devotees was traced to a hilltop in the Gandhamardan range through mobile location tracking. Padmapur SDPO Pandav Sabar said that one of the stranded devotees had contacted the toll-free number to report the situation. The caller informed that they had mistakenly wandered off the main path due to darkness and adverse weather.

Nrusinghanath Temple Executive Officer Purushottam Pradhan said that a joint rescue team comprising police personnel, fire services, forest officials, and temple security staff has been dispatched to the spot. "Based on the mobile location, all the teams have moved together towards the hilltop where the devotees are believed to be stuck," he added.

The forest path from Nrusinghanath to Harishankar is known for its steep and rugged terrain. Despite the difficulties, many devotees undertake this pilgrimage during the holy month of Shravan.

Efforts are underway to bring all the devotees down safely. However, officials said the rescue operations have been delayed due to incessant rainfall.

Update: The devotees were rescued by a 40-member team early this morning. Unfortunately, a Forest Department staff sustained fracture to his leg during the rescue operation.