Naveen Patnaik writes to Odisha CM Mohan Majhi seeking exemplary action in Pahandi mishap

Leader of Opposition and ex-CM Naveen Patnaik on Thursday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi over the unfortunate mishap in which Lord Balabhadra slipped on the ‘Charamala’ (makeshift ramp) while being taken in pahandi from His chariot to Gundicha Temple on Tuesday. 

“What happened during ‘Adapa Mandap Bije Pahandi’ has deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees all over the world. I am also very saddened by this incident. This has not happened in the tradition of thousands of years of Rath Yatra. The comments of certain Ministers have doubled the grief of Lord Jagannath lovers,’ Patnaik said in his letter written in Odia. 

“I would like to request you to ensure that such lapses don’t happen again.  I hope your exemplary steps in this regard will help assuage the devotees,” he added.

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Later in the day, Odisha CM Mohan Majhi responded to the letter from Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik on Pahandi mishap and wrote, "Everyone is saddened by what happened and it is natural that you were hurt and I am also hurt; after knowing about the incident I asked 2 ministers to visit the spot and I have suggested to remain careful and ensure that there is no repetition of such lapses."

Earlier on Tuesday, after the completion of certain rituals on the chariots, the ‘Pahandi’ ritual began. After Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra was being taken to ‘Adapa Mandap’ in ‘Pahandi’. While coming down on the ‘Charamala’, Lord Balabhadra slipped. The mishap left several servitors injured.