Biopic film sparks massive crowds at Uttarakhand shrine

The biopic drama Hanuman Ansh has triggered a huge rush of visitors at the Kainchi Dham spiritual ashram and Hanuman temple in Uttarakhand. The film tells the life story of the mystic saint Neem Karoli Baba, who founded the ashram in 1964 and is viewed by devotees as an incarnation of Lord Hanuman. Social media videos show thousands of fans arriving at the site following the film's release.

Director's Request

Director Dr Vishal Chaturvedi posted a video on Instagram urging people to check local conditions before planning a trip. He noted that the ashram is facing heavy crowding and long lines, with visitors getting stuck in traffic and families with children facing difficult conditions. He suggested that travellers could visit other connected locations instead, such as Neem Karoli village and Vrindavan.

Weekend Crowds

The heavy rush coincided with a long weekend that included a government holiday on October 2, followed by Saturday and Sunday. Thousands of vehicles poured into the region from Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, causing major traffic jams on routes like the Mussoorie-Dehradun Road and large crowds in tourist spots such as Nainital and Mussoorie.

Context

Spiritual tourism often surges in India during long holidays as travellers combine leisure trips with visits to famous religious shrines. When popular media or films draw sudden public attention to specific pilgrimage spots, local infrastructure can experience heavy strain due to the rapid influx of visitors.