Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 23: Four persons were injured, after a slippery areca nut tree they were trying to scale, snapped in the middle. The incident occurred during Vittal Pindi celebrations near Srikrishna Mutt on Monday August 22.

The surface of the 50-feet high areca nut tree was smoothened, and oil was smeared to it, making it very slippery. This is being done every year. As many persons together tried to go up the tree, supported by the cheer of the audiences, the tree broke, as a result of which, four persons sustained injuries. Pundarik Manipal and Tukaram Pitrody, who were grievously injured in the incident, were carried to the district hospital in an ambulance immediately. Two others escaped with minor injuries.

The crowd that had surrounded the pole to cheer the adventurists, ran away as soon as the pole broke. Thus, possible injury to onlookers was averted.

Every year, a small piece of cloth in which coins, currency notes etc are put together, is tied to the top of the pole. The person who is able to reach the top first gets the money placed therein.