8 brought-dead to SSKM Hospital morgue, injured undergoing treatment
Nine other injured are also undergoing treatment at a nursing home close to the accident site.
The famous Rukuna Yatra, pulling of a chariot in which the deities representing Lord Lingaraj are taken out of the 11th-century temple in a ceremonial manner to the Mausima Temple, was disrupted here on Saturday due to the snapping of the ropes.
The bronze idols of three deities — Chandrashekar representing Lord Lingaraj, Rukuna, and Ananta Vasudeva — were carried to the chariot amid blowing of conches and chanting of religious hymns.
The rituals were conducted and thousands of devotees thronged the route as the chariot moved. It had just about surged ahead when the ropes gave way. Three attempts were made and each time the chariot moved a bit before the ropes snapped again.
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Finally, the authorities called off the Yatra and said the chariot will be drawn tomorrow.
Temple sources said the rope was provided by the coir board and as per specifications of previous years.
The Lord will resume his journey to Mausima Temple tomorrow.
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