A tragic accident took place on Monday morning during the annual festival of Sri Parvati Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple of Amangallu village located in Vemulpalli mandal of Nalgonda district of Telangana. During the tradition of crossing the Agnigundam (chasm of fire), a sudden scuffle broke out among the devotees. The pressure of the crowd increased so much that 11 devotees fell directly into the burning fire. Severe burn marks appeared on his body. Other devotees immediately pulled him out and took him to Hutahuti Government Hospital. The condition of everyone is said to be serious.
Thousands of devotees stood in line to cross the Agnigundam. Suddenly someone pushed and the entire queue wobbled. The devotees standing nearby pulled him out of the fire without thinking. Some women and youth were also involved in this. Doctors said that most of the wounds were on the legs and hands. The condition of three is critical and they have been referred to Nalgonda District Hospital.
This festival is celebrated every year in the month of Phalgun. The Agnigundam ritual is the biggest attraction of the temple. Devotees believe that this atones for sins. But this time there was a huge lapse in security arrangements. The temple committee had neither installed adequate barricades nor sought additional help from the police. There was no system to control the crowd.
Police engaged in questioning the temple management
Vemulpalli police immediately reached the spot and registered a case. Police have registered an FIR against temple committee officials under sections 125 (causing hurt by negligence) and 281 (causing danger in public place) of the Indian Justice Code. The sub-inspector said that we are interrogating the temple management. The negligence in crowd management and security of Agnigundam is being investigated. If anyone is found responsible then strict action will be taken.
Local people accused the temple committee that the same ritual takes place every year but security is never paid attention to. Last year also a similar incident had happened in the nearby Cheruvugattu temple. The families are now demanding compensation and better treatment.
Police started investigation in the case on the basis of CCTV
This incident once again highlights the lack of crowd management in religious festivals. The police have intensified the investigation by recording CCTV footage of the entire case and statements of witnesses. An assurance has also been given that the temple committee will bear the expenses of the treatment of the injured. At present all the 11 devotees are said to be out of danger but the scars of jealousy will remain for a long time. Nalgonda district administration has also given instructions to keep an eye on the remaining programs of the temple festival.
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