New Delhi: In a mishap following the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, nine servitors were injured as the idol of Lord Balabhadra slipped during a post-ceremony ritual. The incident unfolded during the procession of the three idols from their chariots to the Adapa Mandap of Gundicha temple on Tuesday evening. When did it happenAs part of the customary Pahandi ritual, where the idols are gently swayed by servitors, the mishap occurred while transferring Lord Balabhadras idol from the Taladhwaja chariot to the Charamala chariots makeshift ramp.According to Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, out of the nine individuals involved, five were hospitalized, while the remaining four sustained minor injuries. After the idols fall, rescue personnel and fellow servitors rushed to lift the idol and attend to the injured. The injured were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.Watch the video here:BREAKING7 injured as idol of Lord Balabhadra slips during Rath Yatra in Puri.#Puri #JagannathRathYatra pic.twitter.com/YseQS3mIp9— Vani Mehrotra (@vani_mehrotra) July 9, 2024Government responseOdisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed concern over the incident and directed Odisha Law Minister Parthiraj Harichandan to visit Puri immediately and assess the situation. He also extended his wishes for the recovery of the injured servitors.Similar incidents in pastThis incident follows a recent tragedy during the Rath Yatra where overcrowding led to one fatality and several injuries over the two-day festival held on Sunday and Monday.
