Woman Devotee Rescued After Getting Trapped in Ancient Tunnel During Kartik Purnima Ritual in Sambalpur
Sambalpur, Odisha — In a gripping rescue operation on Kartik Purnima, a woman devotee was safely pulled out after being trapped for nearly four hours inside an ancient tunnel on Dumuri Hill under Jujumura police limits.
The woman, identified as Sujata Meher (35) from Marangbahal village, had visited Dumuri Hill to participate in the Bhandarghariani and Saptarshi worship rituals.
As part of a long-standing tradition, devotees attempt to pass through the narrow tunnel, believed to fulfil wishes if crossed successfully. Sujata became stuck midway, wedged between stone slabs and tree roots.
Local panic escalated as initial rescue attempts failed. Teams from the Maneswar Fire Department and Jujumura police responded swiftly, launching a coordinated rescue effort.
After hours of careful manoeuvring, Sujata was safely extracted and transported to Sambalpur for medical attention.
The tunnel, steeped in legend and centuries old, draws hundreds of devotees each year during Kartik Purnima.
Following the incident, locals have urged authorities to implement safety protocols and monitoring systems to prevent future mishaps during religious gatherings.
