A true account of courage and survival in the face of nature’s fury.
In June of 2013, darkened skies over northern India released torrential rains from multiple cloudbursts, leaving behind an incomprehensible trail of destruction.
American cardiologist, Dr. Niranjan Seshadri, had just arrived in the Indian state of Uttarakhand for a spiritual retreat. As a result of flooding from the colossal storms, he became stranded on the isolated grounds of an ashram. When his fellow group members became paralyzed by fear and uncertainty, Dr. Seshadri took it upon himself to find a way to safety. His journey became a test of spiritual strength, physical stamina, and survival.
"Gripping. Amazingly well written." — OM SWAMI, Monk and Best-Selling Author.
The day before the storm. Driving through the Garhwal Himalayas. River Ganges flowing through the valley below.
One lane roads and hairpin bends without guardrails.
An old rope bridge across the river. The only access way across the river to the monastery.
The rope bridge washed away in the storm.
The morning after the storm. The river in spate.
Hours before the storm. Lush fields adjoining a village.
After the storm. Landslides and floods destroyed most of the fields and the houses of the village next to the monastery.
Buildings on the other bank of the river washed away in a matter of minutes.
Buildings on the other bank of the river washed away in a matter of minutes.
Buildings on the other bank of the river washed away in a matter of minutes.
Buildings on the other bank of the river washed away in a matter of minutes.
Local villagers working hard to carve trails through the mountains.
A steep climb up the mountainside on a makeshift trail.
A steep climb up the mountainside on a makeshift trail.
A steep climb up the mountainside on a makeshift trail. A vertical drop of several hundred feet to the river below.
On the trail.
The road leading to the monastery washed away by the floods.
Rescue operations led by the Indo-Tibetan Border force and the Indian Air Force.
Massive landslides cutting road access.
Massive landslides cutting road access.
One of many major bridges washed away.
Pictures by Niranjan Seshadri