Mangaluru, 19 April

A chariot used during the annual fair at the historic Bappanadu Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Dakshina Kannada district, collapsed in the early hours of Saturday. However, no injuries were reported, officials said.

The incident occurred at around 2 am during the Brahmarathotsava, a major ritual involving the ceremonial pulling of the temple chariot at Mulki town in the district.

The upper portion of the Brahma Ratha (grand chariot) reportedly collapsed while several devotees and temple priests were near it. According to officials, no one was harmed and rituals resumed shortly after the idol of the deity was transferred to the Chandramandala Ratha (a smaller ceremonial chariot).

Mulki Police and temple trust have initiated a probe. At the time of the accident, 250 devotees were pulling the chariot in presence of around 5,000 people.

The incident caused flutter among devotees and the temple administration, given the prominence of the Bappanadu fair in the cultural and religious life of coastal Karnataka. The Shayanotsava, a ritual symbolises the goddess reclining on a bed of jasmine flowers, for which 1.5 lakh garlands made of jasmine flowers were offered by devotees, a record of sorts.