The child lost her life when she accidentally fell under the big tyres of the ceremonial chariot which the believers pull.
Published Mar 25, 2024 | 11:27 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 25, 2024 | 11:27 AM
Child dies at the Sree Bhagavathy Temple festival. (Supplied)
A five-year-old child succumbed to her injuries on the night of Sunday, 24 March, after she was crushed under the wheels of a ceremonial chariot.
The incident occurred at the Kottankulangara Sree Bhagavathy Temple festival, near Kollam.
Police identified the deceased as Kshetra, daughter of Ramesh and Jiji of Chavara, Kollam.
The child lost her life when she accidentally fell under the big tyres of the ceremonial chariot which the believers pull.
‘Pulling of the chariot’ ritual was conducted as part of the Chamayavilaku festival, in which men dressed as women and lined up before the deity.
“The accident happened at around 11.30 pm on Sunday. She came to the temple along with her parents,” police said.
According to police, the pullers lost control of the chariot while performing the ritual and a commotion occurred. Kshethra who was with her father somehow came under the wheels of the chariot.
Police said the incident happened in an open field where the chariot was being pulled.
“Sometimes children also pull the rope tied to the chariot. It seems like she fell accidentally,” police said.
Though the child was rushed to Karunagapally Government Taluk Hospital, she was declared brought dead.
A case has been registered in connection with the incident, police added.
(With PTI inputs.)
