More than 30 persons suffered burns when they accidentally tripped and fell while carrying a palanquin during a fire walk held as part of temple rituals at Thenkudi village near Nannilam in Tiruvarur district on Saturday. Eleven of the injured have been admitted to hospitals in Tiruvarur.
The annual festival of Thenkudi Sri Mariamman temple was under way and early on Saturday, the ritual of carrying the palanquin of Sri Kathhavarayan Swamy over a platform of fire was being conducted. Devotees from Keezha Thenkudi and Mela Thenkudi were carrying the palanquin, when some of them accidentally tripped and fell.
Other devotees rescued all those who fell down and rushed them to the Government Hospital at Nannilam from where they were referred to the Tiruvarur Medical College Hospital. While 11 devotees suffered severe burns, many others escaped with lesser injuries.
Nannilam police have registered a case and are investigating.
