Daijiworld Media Network - Palghar

Palghar, Sep 13: Panic gripped Nalasopara West in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Saturday evening after a Ganesh idol being transported to a pandal ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi toppled onto devotees who were trying to protect it from heavy rain.

Several people were briefly trapped underneath the idol after the trolley carrying it became unstable. Local residents and fellow devotees immediately rushed to the spot and helped rescue those caught underneath. No serious injuries were reported.

The incident occurred when members of a Ganeshotsav mandal were transporting the idol from an artisan’s workshop to their pandal ahead of the festival.

As the procession moved through Nalasopara West, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed the area. Devotees gathered around the idol and attempted to cover it with a plastic tarpaulin to protect it from the rain.

During the effort, the trolley reportedly became unstable, causing the idol to tilt and eventually topple.

A video of the incident circulating on social media showed several devotees attempting to cover the idol shortly before it lost balance. The fall sparked panic, with four to five people believed to have been trapped underneath.

Onlookers and local residents quickly gathered at the spot and pulled the trapped devotees to safety.

In a separate incident on Saturday, a Ganesh idol tipped over during an arrival procession in the Bhayander area of Thane district, PTI reported.

The idol was being transported from Navghar to the pandal of Sheetal Chhaya Mitra Mandal in Bhayander West when it lost balance near Golden Nest Chowk.

The idol was damaged in the fall, while a young man also suffered injuries, according to eyewitnesses.

The incidents occurred a day before Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, which begin on Sunday.