Daijiworld Media Network - Byndoor
Byndoor, Oct 14: A major accident was narrowly averted in front of the Sri Mookambika Temple in Kollur during the Sharannavaratri festivities after a massive decorative lighting structure came crashing down on devotees amid strong winds, leaving an elderly man seriously injured.
The incident occurred in Kollur, in Byndoor taluk of Udupi district, when a giant light display installed on the upper floor of a commercial complex opposite the temple suddenly toppled onto devotees taking shelter beneath the building.
At around midday, several devotees had gathered under the shade of the commercial complex to escape the intense heat.
Large decorative lighting structures had been installed on the building’s upper floor as part of the special arrangements for the Navaratri celebrations.
However, a sudden spell of strong winds caused one of the massive lighting structures to give way and plunge directly onto the devotees standing below, triggering panic in the area.
As the structure came crashing down, most of the devotees reacted swiftly and ran to safety, narrowly escaping what could have been a fatal accident. However, three devotees were caught beneath the falling structure.
An elderly devotee bore the brunt of the impact when the heavy lighting structure fell directly on his head, leaving him unable to get back on his feet and struggling under its weight.
Witnessing the incident, local shopkeepers and members of the public rushed to the spot and immediately began rescue efforts. They managed to remove the fallen lighting structure and free the injured elderly man before rushing him to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The incident has raised serious concerns over the safety of temporary lighting installations and decorative structures erected around the temple during major religious celebrations.
With thousands of devotees thronging the temple during the Navaratri festivities, members of the public have called for heightened vigilance and strict safety checks on temporary lighting arrangements, banners and other decorative installations to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of devotees.