The Himalayan mountains have claimed the lives of a passionate father-daughter trekking duo from Gujarat, ending their adventurous journey in tragedy. Jignesh Patel, 52, and his 17-year-old daughter Priyadarshini were found buried under snow in Nepal's Manang district, nearly three weeks after they went missing during what was supposed to be another exhilarating high-altitude adventure.
The Fatal Expedition
According to family members, the Patels had left their home in Surat on October 14 for Manang in Nepal, focusing once again on the challenging Annapurna range that had become their preferred trekking destination. The father and daughter had informed hotel staff on October 20 that they were heading to the Milarepa monastery, a journey that would become their last.
Jignesh had called his wife Jagruti on October 21, assuring her they would return to base camp by October 30 and be home by November 4. However, heavy snowfall disrupted their plans and ultimately led to tragedy. Search and rescue teams discovered their bodies in the Disyang area of Manang district, approximately 100 meters above the Milarepa monastery, where they had likely moved uphill for a better view before being trapped by snow.
A Family United by Adventure
Jignesh Patel and his wife Jagruti were both teachers who conducted tuition classes in Kadod, a village in Bardoli taluka of Surat district. Their only child, Priyadarshini, was a Class 11 student whose bond with her father extended beyond the classroom to the challenging peaks of the Himalayas.
The family's trekking journey began in 2018 as a hobby that quickly evolved into a shared passion. Their adventures primarily focused on the demanding Annapurna circuit, including routes to Muktinath-Damodar Kunda, Thorong La, Idam Phra Peak and Tilicho Lake. Jignesh had even completed a solo expedition from North Face to Annapurna Base Camp earlier this summer, demonstrating his growing expertise in high-altitude trekking.
Village in Mourning
The tragic news reached the family on Sunday afternoon when a hotel receptionist from Manang contacted them about the discovery of the bodies. Jignesh's cousin Amitbhai Mistry confirmed the identities through photographs and personal belongings before notifying the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
Jagruti, Jignesh's wife, remains in a state of shock as the family awaits the return of the mortal remains, expected to reach India on Tuesday via Delhi before being transported to Surat. The village of Kadod, which had watched with pride as the father-daughter duo conquered Himalayan heights, now mourns their loss.
Jignesh's elder brother Kartik and his wife Beena traveled from Vadodara to support the grieving family. The Patels were respected members of the community - Jignesh's parents had served as teachers at the Kadod high school, though his father passed away a few years ago and his mother is currently bedridden.
As the family prepares for the final rites, the trekking community and residents of Kadod remember the adventurous spirit that defined Jignesh and Priyadarshini's relationship, a bond strengthened by mountains but ultimately claimed by them.
