Animal deaths during Kedarnath pilgrimage spark outcry on social media

A video of a dead horse being removed during the Kedarnath pilgrimage has gone viral on social media, prompting widespread criticism over animal welfare. The footage shows devotees retrieving the carcass while a man questions whether using animals for the journey constitutes sin or virtue.

Kedarnath, a major pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand dedicated to Lord Shiva, attracts lakhs of devotees annually. Many use horses and mules to cover the difficult 18-kilometre terrain. However, deaths of these animals during the yatra due to overexertion, poor nutrition, and lack of care have been recurring issues, with cases of infectious diseases like Equine Influenza reported.

Animal welfare groups have repeatedly raised concerns about these deaths, but government action remains limited. The latest viral video has reignited the debate on social media platforms about the ethical implications of using animals for religious pilgrimages.