Journalism of Courage
Four people were injured after they slipped from the stairs of the Khandoba Temple at Jejuri on Monday afternoon during the rain when lakhs of devotees had gathered at the famous temple in Pune district on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya, the police said.
The injured have been identified as Vishal More, 23, Nilesh More, 30, Mayank Kadam and Mauli More.
Officials from the Pune Rural Police said that a huge crowd gathered along the flight of 200 stairs of the Khandoba temple around 2 pm to mark Somvati Amavasya.
“The incident took place when the palanquin of the temple deity was being used as part of a ritual. The palanquin was accompanied by paraphernalia and Shehnai players. It had rained heavily and the showers were still making the stairs slippery. Midway along the stairs, a shehnai player slipped and three others slipped with him. Four people suffered minor injuries in the incident. Two of them have fractures, which are not serious in nature. Two others have very minor injuries,” said Inspector Bapusaheb Sandbhor.
He added that around three lakh devotees visited the temple and surrounding areas on Monday.
“Ambulance of Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services were pressed into service and two injured were immediately shifted to Jejuri Rural Hospital. After the initial treatment and stabilisation, they were shifted to Anandi Hospital at Jejuri. Our medical teams are in constant touch with the treating doctors. The patients are stable and not in any form of danger. Best of medical care is being provided,” Pune Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Ayush Prasad said.
