Keonjhar: More than 60 people of Padmapur area in Keonjhar district were taken ill after consuming ‘panchamrita’ following a Ganesh Puja at a local temple Monday.
According to reports, the devotees had consumed ‘panchamrita’ served at Padmeswara temple after the Ganesh Puja held there.
According to police officials, Ganesh Puja took place at the temple this year quite like past years. The devotees were offered panchamrita after the sacred ritual was completed.
Many of them, however, complained of headache, vomiting, and uneasiness within a short while – a condition that exacerbated with time. They were rushed to the Padmapur Primary Healthcare center (PHC) where they are under treatment.
The temple management committee, on the other hand, lodged a complaint with police alleging that the ‘prasad’ was intentionally contaminated by someone leading to such a large number of devotees falling ill.
The exact cause behind the disaster is yet to be ascertained.
PNN