Pudukottai: 5 devotees were seriously injured when the chariot overturned during the chariot procession held at Pudukottai today (July 31).
Pudukottai Thirukokarnam has the oldest temple of Pragatambal Udanurai Gokarneswarar. The oldest, this temple under the Hindu religious endowment is said to date back to the 8th century AD.
The Aadipura festival at the temple started last week with flag hoisting. Subsequently, various programs including Amman Vethiyula were going on in full swing, today, in front of the main festival, the Chariot Festival, the Goddess got up in a decorated chariot.
Vinayagar, Murugan and Chandikeswarar Swami were worshiped before and after this thera. After that the devotees pulled the rope of the chariot. While the chariot had to crawl for about a kilometer around the temple, within a few minutes of the chariot’s descent, the chariot ridden by Prahatambal tipped forward.
The devotees were shocked when the chariot suddenly tilted. Immediately, the fire and rescue team led by the District Fire Officer Panupriya, separated the terrarium on which the devotees were leaning and immediately rescued 5 devotees trapped in the rubble and admitted them to Pudukottai Government Medical College Hospital.
Also the goddess idol was recovered undamaged and taken inside the temple. The incident of chariot overturning during the chariot procession has shocked the devotees and public alike. Following this, the idols of Swami kept in chaparams were also taken inside the temple and special pujas were performed.
Collector Kavita Ramu, MLA Y. Muthuraja, former minister C. Vijayabaskar MLA and others visited the accident.
Devotees allege that the Chariot, which has not been running for the past 2 years, has been operated without proper maintenance. An investigation is also underway against the officers who were continuously negligent.