Mishap during Niladri Bije rituals in Odisha’s Sonepur, one sustains critical injuries

A senior civic official Gagan Agrawal, Deputy Chairperson of the Tarbha Notified Area Council (NAC) in Sonepur district, sustained serious injuries during Rath Yatra celebrations in the area after falling under the wheel of a moving chariot.

Sources reported that the incident took place on Tuesday as the chariot was being drawn towards the temple in observance of Niladri Bije, the concluding ritual of the Rath Yatra. Amid heavy crowd movement near the temple, Agrawal reportedly slipped and fell beneath one of the wheels, which then crushed his leg.

He was immediately rescued in a serious condition and first rushed to the Bolangir District Headquarters Hospital for emergency treatment. He was later shifted to a private medical facility in Bargarh for specialized care.

Crowd and Chaos Trigger Mishap During Ritual Pull

Witnesses at the site reported that the incident occurred amid a surge of devotees trying to catch a glimpse of the final procession. Despite local authorities being present for crowd control, the sudden swell in numbers made it difficult to ensure personal safety, leading to the mishap.

The chariot was part of the return journey of Lord Jagannath and His siblings back to the temple, a stage locally celebrated as Niladri Bije.

Similar Tragedy in Ganjam: One Dead

This incident comes just days after a tragic accident in Ganjam district, where a young man lost his life during Rath Yatra celebrations in Shikula village under Purushottampur police limits.

The deceased, identified as Shibaram Behera, was crushed under the wheels of a chariot after slipping during the procession.

Shibaram was first taken to the Purushottampur Medical Centre and later referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, where he succumbed to his injuries.