8 Devotees Critical In Bee Attack During Akshaya Tritiya Ritual In Odisha Temple

Baripada: At least eight devotees were seriously injured after being attacked by a swarm of bees during a special ritual at a temple in Odisha’s Maayurbhanj district on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Sunday.

Sources said a large number of devotees had gathered when special rituals and havans were being performed in Jagannath temple at Sirsa under Saraskana block of the district. A troupe was performing Sankirtan on the occasion of the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya festival.

Arrangements were also being made to start construction of chariot for Rath Yatra when a swarm of bees entered the temple premises and unleshed an attack, triggering panic among people. Those present in the area ran helter skelter in a bid to escape.

At least eight persons, who sustained grievous injuries in the bee attack, were immediately rushed to a hospital at Sirsa. One of them was later shifted to PRM Medical College and Hospital at Baripada as his condition deteriorated.