New Delhi: During a religious and cultural event near Anekal in Karnataka's Bengaluru (rural), a 120-foot tall temple chariot collapsed causing a commotion. The mishap occurred amidst the bustling atmosphere of the annual temple fair of Huskur Madduramma temple, which drew thousands of devotees from over 10 villages.
Amidst the fervent efforts of hundreds of devotees to lift the towering and elaborately adorned chariot using ropes tied from all sides, the structure lost its balance, plummeting to the ground in a devastating collapse.
Notably, no injuries were reported in the aftermath of the incident, according to a report by India Today. With the aid of tractors and ox carts, the collapsed chariot was successfully reinstated to its original position. The Huskur Madduramma fair, renowned for its annual chariot festival, draws crowds from far and wide, with these magnificent chariots serving as the focal point of the event.
However, the festival's charm has diminished over the years, as the number of participating chariots has dwindled significantly from over a hundred a decade ago to merely 10 to 15 in recent times, the report stated.
Madduramma Devi Temple Festival at Huskuru is famous as the Huskur Jatre and is famous for the huge pagoda-type chariots (locally known as Kurju) pulled to temples from the surrounding regions. It is an ancient jatre and is said to have a history of more than 500 years.