TempleChariotAccident – Seven Injured After Chariot Collapse at Festival
TempleChariotAccident – Seven people were seriously hurt when a towering temple chariot collapsed during the annual Mayana Kollai festival in Vellore district, triggering fresh concerns over safety arrangements at large religious gatherings.
Midnight Mishap on Palar Riverbank
The incident occurred close to midnight on Sunday along the banks of the Palar River, where devotees had gathered in large numbers for the traditional celebrations. The chariot, said to be nearly 60 feet tall, belonged to Kazhinjur village near Katpadi. It had just completed its ritual procession on the riverbed and was being pulled up toward the main road when it suddenly lost balance.
Witnesses said the massive wooden structure began to tilt before crashing sideways, trapping several people underneath. Around 10 individuals were caught in the chaos as panic spread through the crowd.
Rescue Efforts and Medical Response
Police personnel stationed at the venue, along with local residents, rushed to lift parts of the fallen structure and pull out those trapped beneath it. Seven people who sustained serious injuries were immediately transported to the Government Medical College Hospital in Adukkamparai for treatment. Doctors are closely monitoring their condition.
Officials said the swift response by bystanders and emergency teams helped prevent further casualties. The remaining devotees were cleared from the area to avoid additional risks.
Senior Officials Conduct Inspection
Top district authorities visited the accident site soon after the incident. Vellore District Collector Subbulakshmi, Superintendent of Police Sivaraman, and Revenue Divisional Officer Senthil Kumar inspected the location and reviewed the circumstances that led to the collapse.
Later, the Collector met the injured victims at the hospital to assess their condition and assured families of necessary support. An official inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident. Festival organisers have also been instructed to adhere strictly to safety guidelines in future events.
A Prominent Annual Festival
The Mayana Kollai festival is one of the most significant religious events in Vellore district, drawing devotees from multiple villages every year. On Sunday evening, deities from 10 surrounding villages were decorated and placed on elaborate temple chariots. The chariots were then taken in procession to the riverbed, where traditional rituals and offerings were performed.
The celebrations continued late into the night, culminating in the return of the chariots to their respective villages. It was during this return journey that the accident occurred.
Following the collapse, villagers from Kazhinjur carefully removed the idol from the damaged chariot and transported it back to their village, ensuring that religious customs were maintained despite the disruption.
Questions Over Height Regulations
Government norms stipulate that temple chariots should not exceed a height of 12 feet for safety reasons. However, during the Mayana Kollai festival, chariots from villages including Virudhambattu, Kazhinjur, and Mottur are believed to reach heights of around 60 feet.
This is not the first such incident linked to the festival. In 2023, a chariot from Mottur village reportedly fell into the Palar riverbed during similar celebrations, raising alarms about compliance with regulations.
The latest accident has once again brought attention to the balance between tradition and public safety. Authorities are expected to examine whether existing rules were violated and what preventive measures can be implemented before future festivals take place.