Puri, January 15: In a tragic incident, a servitor of Puri Jagannath Temple collapsed on Wednesday while performing the deities’ rituals.
The incident took place in the afternoon in the sanctum and sanctorum of the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri while the traditional Suara Badu Sevayat(servitor) was washing up the inner chamber in the temple.
The deceased has been identified as Jagannath Mekapa, a resident of Matimandap Sahi in the Puri town.
According to reports, Jagannath was cleaning the floor in the sanctum and sanctorum pouring water on it. Meanwhile, he complained of a severe chest pain and felt suffocated. Before taking him to a safer place for rest, he collapsed on the spot before the Lord Jagannath, turning scores of co-servitors spellbound.
The Jagannath Temple police and servitors rushed him to the district headquarters hospital for resuscitation where he was declared dead by the doctor.
On being informed, Puri district Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, SP Vinit Agarwal and Temple Administrator(Rituals) reached the hospital to offer an ultimate adieu to the longish- served devotee of the Lord Jagannath.
A pall of gloom descended in the Puri Town following the death of the young servitor who was well known for his pleasant personality and sweet behavior.
