In a tragic incident late Saturday night, a 22-foot DJ truck carrying pilgrims collided with an 11,000-volt high-tension line in the Bhawanpur area of Merath district. The collision resulted in the loss of six lives, while 16 other pilgrims sustained injuries, with three of them in critical condition. The incident took place during the return journey of the Kavadis, a religious pilgrimage.
The group of 32 youths from Raali Chauhan village had embarked on their Kavad pilgrimage to Haridwar to fetch holy water from the Ganges on July 4th. This was the village's second Kavad pilgrimage, and the DJ truck was equipped with a 22-foot stage and electronic displays. On Saturday, after offering the water to Lord Shiva at the Aughadnath Temple in Merath on the occasion of Shivratri, the pilgrims were returning to their village. They had planned to offer the water at the village's Shiva temple on Chaturdashi.
As the pilgrims arrived near the village's border, some of them disembarked from the truck and proceeded to walk to the Shiva temple with the holy water, while others remained on the truck. The Kavad, placed on a trolley, featured a large DJ system and an electronic display depicting Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some people chose to hold the Kavad and walk alongside it, while others stayed on the trolley itself.
Unbeknownst to the pilgrims, there was an 11,000-volt high-tension line passing above the village. The villagers had requested the electricity department to shut down the power supply to bring the Kavad to the village. Although the department had initiated a power shutdown, the supply was unexpectedly restored before the Kavad could reach the village. As a result, the DJ truck collided with the high-tension line, leading to a sudden current surge in the DJ setup. Chaos ensued at the scene, and the injured pilgrims were rushed to the hospital by bystanders even before the arrival of the police and administrative officials.
This tragic incident highlights the risks associated with unauthorized setups and the need for proper safety measures during religious processions. The local authorities have been informed, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident. The villagers and pilgrims are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and are calling for a thorough inquiry into the incident to prevent similar accidents in the future.
