A sea of humanity turned up in the temple town of Nanjangud near here early on Wednesday morning for the annual Maharathotsava, but a minor mishap involving the sinking of the chariot’s wheels into the road, caused anxiety among devotees.
As the main Gowthama Rath carrying the deity of Srikanteshwara was passing near the Cauvery Grameena Bank on the route of the procession, the wheels of the chariot suddenly sunk into the road even as hundreds of devotees were heaving the 110 tonne rath with thick jute ropes.
The rath stands about 90 feet tall.
Eye witnesses said the two of the four wheels of the chariot sank up to one foot and swerved towards the corner of the road.
However, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Nanjangud, Prakash Nikam told The Hindu that earthmovers were immediately pressed into service to pull the wheels out and put the chariot back on the road. The event passed off smoothly thereafter, he said.
He said the chariot’s wheels were stuck as a particular stretch of road was “poorly maintained”.
