Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), July 10: A day after devotees witnessed a dramatic incident during the ‘pahandi’ ritual, where Lord Balabhadra’s idol slipped and fell on servitors on a slanting ladder, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida described it as a divine act of the Lord. Speaking to the media, she emphasized that it was a minor incident and the injured were promptly discharged after receiving first-aid.
“Experts in Jagannath Culture will interpret this ‘Leela’ of the Lord. None of the servitors sustained serious injuries; they quickly recovered and resumed the rituals. We should view this as the will of the Lord,” she added.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The divine acts of Mahaprabhu are beyond our understanding. It’s best for us to move forward from this incident. Servitors involved also regard it as an act of the Lord.”
He further mentioned that the CT scan results of one servitor who reportedly suffered serious injuries came out normal. “We will take all necessary steps to ensure the smooth conduct of rituals for the sibling deities and streamline the Bahuda Yatra to the Shree Jagannath Temple,” he assured.
The incident occurred around 9 pm on Tuesday when several servitors slipped on a makeshift ladder intended to carry the deity from the chariot to the Shree Gudicha Temple. The 7-ft-high idol of Lord Balabhadra, weighing over 150kg, fell on them. They were rescued by fellow servitors and police personnel and promptly taken to the district headquarters hospital.
Odisha Deputy CM comments on Balabhadra idol incident at ‘Adapa Bije Pahandi’
