Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Sep 3: A day of religious observance turned into a tragedy in Bihar as seven people, including four members of one family, drowned while taking ritual baths for the Karma Ekadashi festival. The incidents occurred in the Munger and Nawada districts.

In Munger, three members of the same family—Lakshmi Devi, her son Nishikant Kumar, and her niece Priya—drowned in the Ganga River. The tragedy unfolded when Priya slipped into a deep section of the river, and both Lakshmi Devi and Nishikant were swept away while trying to rescue her. Local villagers and police recovered their bodies, which have been sent for post-mortem.

A similar incident in Nawada district resulted in the deaths of four family members who drowned in the Kala Pond in Dattaroul village. The deceased were identified as Pooja Kumari, Ambika Kumari, Jyoti Devi, and Khushi Kumari. According to villagers, they ventured into the deep water during their ritual bath and were unable to get out. The incident has cast a pall of mourning over the entire village.

Karma Ekadashi is an auspicious festival celebrated with devotion, particularly by women who fast and pray for the well-being of their brothers. What was meant to be a day of festivity ended in sorrow for the affected families.

Local authorities have since issued a warning, urging people to be extremely cautious while bathing in rivers and ponds during religious festivals to prevent such recurring tragedies.