PURI, INDIA, November 1, 2011 (daily pioneer): Devotees present at the western entry gate (Paschim Dwar) of the Sri Jagannath Temple on Tuesday ran as two stones fell from the roof of the gate. While some of them were hit by the splinters of the stones, they managed to escape unhurt.
Due to the holy month of Kartik, there was heavy rush in the temple as the Kartik Brata observers prefer to spend the daytime in religious discourses and wait till mahaprasad is distributed. On Tuesday at about 11.30 am, the devotees were using the western gate to enter the temple when the incident occurred.
The temple officials informed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and closed the gate. During inspection by the ASI, it was found that two more stones were about to crash. The stones were carefully removed and some arrangement was made to stop further stone-falling.
This temple is one of the famous four Dhams of the Hindu faith. The ASI has taken its preservation and conservation works since 1974.