The administration's idea of having separate entries may be a good one, but there are no decent paths to have as many exits as the administration wants to, the locals say.
True to criticism, the officials and the police seem to wash their hands off the pilgrims once the darshan is over. People branch out after that and take several paths out on their way back to the foothills.
The descent out of the main exit point is downright scary. Extremely steep and one that will challenge wobbly knees -- especially the old, women and children -- who have just scaled 500 steep steps to get a two-second glimpse of the goddess, this path is a disaster in waiting.
The locals say there is an ulterior motive for this. Rana and Chand said soon after the bodies were cleared, a mix of pilgrims and locals gathered at the path leading to the temple and raised slogans against the administration. "Kuch 50 aadmi ikkatta hoke prashasan ke kilaf naare baazi ki," Rana said.
Image: The narrow winding route from the temple to the foothills that the administration opened after the stampede. Locals say this route is more dangerous and must be closed immediately.
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