Gwalior’s Dabra town witnessed a heartbreaking moment on Tuesday when an elderly devotee lost her life during the vibrant Kalash Yatra for the Navagraha Shakti Peeth temple’s Pran Pratishtha. The event, part of a grand 10-day festival, drew massive crowds but ended in sorrow.
Starting from the local stadium, the procession snaked through streets teeming with over 20,000 women participants. BJP veteran Narottam Mishra, a key trustee of the newly built shrine, spearheaded the yatra.
According to officials, the woman fainted suddenly amid the throng and was hurriedly transported to a hospital. Medical staff pronounced her deceased, underscoring the risks of large religious gatherings.
Brijesh Dwivedi, spokesperson for Mishra, shared details with the media: ‘The Kalash Yatra was in full swing when the senior citizen fell. We did everything possible, but she couldn’t be revived.’
Security has been ramped up for the ongoing festivities, expecting luminaries like Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Shastri, narrator Pradeep Mishra, and renowned poet Kumar Vishwas. Other notable attendees include Danti Maharaj, Gurusharan Sharma of Pandokhar Dham, and saints from Dhumeshwar, Dandroua, and Rawatpura dhams.
Prior announcements highlighted elaborate rituals by Sant Badrish Ji and his followers, alongside Danti Maharaj’s special sessions spanning the 10 days.
Political invitations extend widely, with Mishra personally urging Governor Mangubhai Patel’s participation. This incident serves as a stark reminder for enhanced safety protocols at devotional events, even as the temple’s consecration promises spiritual upliftment for thousands.