Gujarat: 6 Pilgrims Heading For Ambaji Temple Mowed Down By Speeding Car In Aravalli District, Seven Injured

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel expressed grief over the deaths and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the kin of the deceased and assistance of Rs 50,000 each for those who were injured.

New Delhi: A group of pilgrims were mowed down by a speeding Innova car, in the early hours of Friday, in Gujarat's Aravalli district. Six pilgrims were killed, and seven others, including the driver of the car, were critically injured and have been admitted to a nearby hospital. The pilgrims belonging to Kalol tehsil of Panchmahal district were on their way to the Ambaji temple for the Bhadarvi Poonam fair.

The accident took place around 6:00 am on a road connecting Aravalli with the adjoining Banaskantha district where the famous Ambaji temple is situated. According to ANI, the car tyre burst leading to the accident. 

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed grief over the deaths and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the kin of the deceased and assistance of Rs 50,000 each for those who were injured.

"Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has expressed grief over the incident of an accident involving pedestrians going to Ambaji Darshan near Malpur in Aravalli district and has announced an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the state government", read a statement from his office.

The CM too tweeted in Gujarati, "The accident that killed the pedestrians going to Ambaji Darshan near Malpur in Aravalli district is very sad. I express my condolences to the families of the pilgrims who lost their lives in the accident".

Bhadarvi Poonam fair

An annual celebration at Ambaji temple, Bhadarvi Poonam fair takes place during the monsoon season. Most pilgrims travel on foot as per traditions to seek the blessings of goddess Amba. This year, the Bhadarvi Poonam fair will be held from September 5 to 10. Lakhs of pilgrims are expected to attend the week-long celebration.

Ambaji is a famous pilgrimage destination and is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in India and attracts millions of devotees from Gujarat as well as other parts of the country every year.

Over 7,000 personnel will be deployed on duty along with teams of the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, health, fire and local administration for the festival. Drones and CCTVs will also be used to monitor the religious procession. 

 

(With ANI and PTI inputs)