Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Mjahi met the sevayat of Shree Lingaraj Temple, Jogendra Samartha, who sustained injuries after falling from a height of 20 feet while carrying the Mahadeep, the sacred lamp, to the Sikhar (temple peak) as part of the Maha Shivratri ritual on Wednesday.
He is undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital here.
The accident occurred around 10.30 pm, sending shockwaves among devotees gathered for the auspicious occasion. “Another servitor later took the ‘Mahadeepa’ and placed it atop the shrine around 10:45 pm,” an official said.
The sevayat, who belongs to the Samartha Nijog, is said to have suffered severe facial injuries and was bleeding profusely during the rescue. He also fractured one of his legs. Besides, two other priests and a police official sustained minor injuries as hot oil spilled during the mishap. They were also taken to Capital Hospital for medical attention, sources said.
“The injured priest is receiving the best possible medical care. He is stable, and others who sustained minor injuries from burning oil are also recovering well. There is no cause for alarm,” Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, who accompanied the CM to the hospital, told reporters.
Lifting of ‘Mahadeepa’ after Bedha Parikrama rituals marks the end of the day-long fast being observed on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
Mahadeepa at lingaraj temple on Mahashivratri 🚩 pic.twitter.com/RRjzuCgm51
— Vineeta Singh 🇮🇳 (@biharigurl) February 27, 2025
Collector Chanchal Rana said the circumstances under which the sevayat fell will be investigated.
Earlier in the day, two women were injured near Singhadwara of the 11th-century shrine as thousands of devotees queued up since 3 am on Wednesday and jostled to get inside. A commotion was noticed for a brief period near Gumuti Dwara of Dakhina Ghara when a group of sevayats allegedly allowed entry of pass holders and VIPs through it although it was earmarked as the exit point of devotees from the sanctum sanctorum, the sources added.
