Churdhar Tragedy: Panchkula Youth’s Trek Turns Fatal Amid Snow Ban

NAURADHAR: A trek meant to be a spiritual journey turned into a deadly misadventure as the body of 28-year-old Akshay Sahani, a blogger from Panchkula, was recovered near the snoclad Churdhar, buried under snow in rocky face of the mountain.

Braving a ban on trekking due to heavy snowfall, Sahani and his friend defied warnings, but only one of them made it back alive.

Banned But Not Deterred

Churdhar, towering at 12,000 feet, is a winter beast, not a playground. With snow piling up dangerously, the SDM Chopal had already banned trekking in the region.

Today, only a lone Mahatma lives in the temple complex, weathering the brutal cold, but he has all comforts of heating and cooking.

But Sahani and his friend Vikram Singh were undeterred. They set out from Nohradhar, aiming to reach the revered Shivling and Shiv Mandir   on Mahashivratri.

Singh managed to reach the temple and return. Sahani lost his way. Dense fog, knee-deep snow, and freezing winds swallowed him whole.

A Desperate Search in the Icy Wilderness

For days, search teams, including the SDRF and seasoned mountaineers from ABVIMAS, Manali, scoured the snowbound peaks, battling extreme weather. Hope was fading.

Then, in a final attempt, a volunteer rescue team from Nauhradhar went up the peak—and made the grim discovery.

Sahani’s body was found trapped in a ditch near the sacred Shivling at Churdhar, crushed between boulders and buried under layers of ice. The condition of the body made identification difficult, forcing authorities to conduct DNA tests.

Warnings Ignored, Life Lost

SDM Sangrah, Sunil Kayar, confirmed the body’s recovery and stressed the dangers of trekking in such conditions. "Churdhar is completely off-limits in winter. This was a tragic case of misadventure," he said.

Mountaineering expert Som Dutt echoed the warning: “These peaks are not meant for casual trekkers in winter. The mountains do not forgive mistakes.”

The tragedy is a stark reminder—when the Himalayas warn, it’s best to listen.

Body of Akshay Sahani Recovered After 12 Days – Was It an Accident or Something More?

 The chilling mystery of the missing trekker on Churdhar Peak has come to a tragic conclusion. The mutilated body of Akshay Sahani (28), a Panchkula-based blogger, was discovered buried under deep snow in a gorge, raising questions about how he perished on one of Himachal’s most famous trekking routes.

12 Days of Agony Ends in Heartbreak

Sahani, an experienced trekker, embarked solo on the Churdhar trek on February 28 during the Shivratri festival but never returned. When he stopped responding to calls, his family raised the alarm.

Multiple rescue attempts were thwarted by harsh weather, but finally, on March 10, local volunteers stumbled upon a body buried deep in snow near Jam Nallah, a treacherous stretch along the route.

Was It a Fall or Foul Play?

While the initial theory suggests he may have slipped and fallen into the gorge, his mutilated body has raised suspicions.

Was it an accident, hypothermia, or something more sinister? Police have not ruled out foul play and are awaiting a postmortem report to confirm the cause of death.

The Churdhar Trek, though popular among adventure seekers and pilgrims in summermonths, has claimed several lives over the years due to unexpected blizzards, treacherous terrain, and sudden temperature drops in mainly  winter.

Many trekkers underestimate the risks, especially during winter months when the peak is covered in snow.

AI-Powered Investigation – The Digital Trail

In an interesting twist, authorities are now analyzing Sahani’s digital footprint using AI-driven data tracking.

His last known GPS location, social media check-ins, and call logs are being examined to piece together his final movements. Forensic AI tools are being used to analyze his phone and GoPro footage, which may provide crucial evidence.

Viral Social Media Outrage: "Himachal Must Improve Trekker Safety!"

As soon as the news broke, social media erupted with reactions:

"This is unacceptable! Why isn’t there a proper rescue mechanism for trekkers in Himachal?" – @TrekkerVibes

"Akshay’s death could have been prevented! No GPS tracking, no emergency response, nothing!" – @HikingHimalayas

"Churdhar needs a safety overhaul. Tourists, don’t risk your life for an Instagram post!" – @MountainRescueHP

A change.org petition demanding improved trekker safety in Himachal has already gathered over 50,000 signatures in just 24 hours.

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