India Tribune Newsdesk
New Vrindaban, WV: In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Divan family, a group of four elderly pilgrims who were scheduled to arrive at New Vrindaban on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, were found deceased days later following a tragic car accident just miles from their destination.
Dr. Kishore Divan (89), Mrs. Asha Divan (85), Mr. Shailesh Divan (86), and Mrs. Gita Divan (84), had embarked on a spiritual road trip from Buffalo, New York, with plans to visit Pittsburgh before reaching New Vrindaban’s Palace Lodge. When the family failed to arrive at the lodge as expected, concerns quickly escalated. Jaya Krsna das, temple president of New Vrindaban, collaborated closely with local authorities and the Divans’ extended family to initiate a search effort, which included a helicopter scan of the surrounding area.
Surveillance systems across New Vrindaban confirmed that the family never made it to the property. The last confirmed sighting was in Erie, Pennsylvania, where a credit card transaction placed them on the route. Their vehicle was later detected by a Pennsylvania State Trooper’s License Plate Reader heading southbound on I-79 around 2:45 PM on July 29.
The search came to a tragic conclusion on Saturday night, August 2, when the Divans’ 2009 Toyota Camry was discovered at the bottom of a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road, only five miles from New Vrindaban. All four family members were found deceased at the scene. The road where the vehicle was located is known for its challenging terrain, particularly for those unfamiliar with the area.
While the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, authorities and family members have cited potential mechanical issues, driver disorientation, or a possible collision as contributing factors.
New Vrindaban management expressed deep sorrow over the loss and emphasized their commitment to guest safety. The temple routinely provides detailed travel instructions in reservation confirmations, advising guests to avoid GPS-recommended shortcuts and instead use well-traveled routes such as Route 88 and Route 250. Discussions with Google Maps are ongoing to improve navigation guidance for visitors.
Although the Divan family never reached the temple grounds, devotees gathered in their honor. Prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva were offered during morning worship, and a special yajna and kirtan ceremony will be held to pray for the peace of their souls.
The temple is cooperating fully with investigators and urges anyone with relevant information to contact the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. The community mourns this profound loss and prays that the Divan family finds eternal peace in the shelter of Lord Krishna. – Courtesy: ISKCON
