Balrampur. A female pilgrim from Sri Lanka, visiting India for a religious tour, passed away on Saturday after suddenly falling ill while traveling from Lumbini to Shravasti. She was part of a group of 46 foreign travelers journeying in a tourist bus. En route, she suddenly experienced severe chest pain, and her condition began to deteriorate rapidly. Fellow passengers and a healthcare worker accompanying the group attempted to save her life by administering immediate first aid and CPR, but there was no improvement. Subsequently, the bus was diverted towards Balrampur, and she was taken to the District Memorial Hospital, where doctors declared her dead after examination.
According to reports, the group of foreign pilgrims from Sri Lanka was touring major Buddhist religious sites across India and Nepal. As part of this itinerary, the group of 46 travelers was heading from Lumbini to Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh aboard a tourist bus. During the journey, the Sri Lankan woman suddenly complained of severe chest pain. Her condition worsened rapidly, causing alarm among the other passengers on the bus.
As her health declined, fellow passengers stepped forward to assist her. A female healthcare worker within the group immediately began administering first aid. Observing the severity of her condition, CPR was also performed in an attempt to stabilize her breathing and heart rate. Despite extensive efforts, there was no improvement in her condition.
Given the gravity of the situation, the decision was made to interrupt the journey. The bus, originally bound for Shravasti, was immediately diverted towards Balrampur. Those on board strove to get her to a hospital as quickly as possible. Upon arrival in Balrampur, she was taken to the District Memorial Hospital. Doctors examined her immediately, but she had already passed away; she was declared dead upon arrival.
This sudden incident cast a pall of gloom over the group of Sri Lankan pilgrims. The other pilgrims were left shocked by the death of a fellow traveler during the journey. What had been a religious pilgrimage that the devotees were eagerly looking forward to suddenly turned into a tragic event. As the incident involved the death of a foreign national, the necessary formalities were initiated. Procedures were undertaken to inform the relevant authorities based on the woman’s identity and travel documents. In such cases, the embassy or high commission of the deceased’s country is notified, and the procedures mandated by the local administration are carried out.
The exact cause of the woman’s death will only be determined following a medical examination and the completion of necessary procedures. However, reports indicate that she suffered sudden, severe chest pain during the journey, after which her condition deteriorated rapidly. Her condition had become critical before she could reach the hospital. Since there were healthcare workers in the group, she was administered first aid and CPR on the spot, but despite all efforts, her life could not be saved.
Lumbini and Shravasti are among the major religious sites associated with Buddhism. Lumbini, located in Nepal, is known as the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, while Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh is a key pilgrimage site for Buddhists. A large number of devotees from various countries—particularly Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, and other Buddhist-majority nations—visit these sites.
Shravasti holds a special connection to the life of Gautam Buddha. According to Buddhist tradition, Lord Buddha spent a significant portion of his life there. Several ancient religious sites in the area, including the Jetavana Monastery, are major centers of faith for Buddhist pilgrims. For this reason, the route from Lumbini to Shravasti is considered a vital part of the international Buddhist tourism circuit.
Sri Lanka also has a large Buddhist population, and every year, many devotees from there travel to Buddhist religious sites in India and Nepal. Places such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, and Lumbini are among the primary destinations for foreign Buddhist pilgrims.
It was reported that the woman had arrived in India with one such religious pilgrimage group. The group of travelers had set out from Lumbini for Shravasti on Saturday. The entire itinerary was disrupted after the woman suddenly fell ill while en route. Fellow travelers made immediate efforts to assist her, and the bus was driven directly to the hospital.
The accompanying foreign nationals were deeply shocked when the woman was declared dead at the District Memorial Hospital. The administration and relevant officials are currently completing the necessary legal formalities. Further action regarding the body will be taken in accordance with regulations once the woman’s family and the concerned diplomatic officials have been informed.
This incident, occurring during the religious pilgrimage, has left the entire group shaken. During the journey, the woman suffered sudden, severe chest pain, and her condition deteriorated so rapidly that—despite the administration of first aid and CPR on the spot, and efforts to rush her to the hospital—her life could not be saved.
