Vellore: At least seven people were seriously injured after a temple chariot toppled during the annual Mayana Kollai festival on the banks of the Palar River in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district, officials said.

The incident occurred around midnight when a large chariot from Kazhinjur near Katpadi was being pulled from the riverbed back onto the road after the ritual procession.

According to reports, the nearly 60-foot-tall chariot suddenly lost balance and tilted, trapping several devotees who were nearby. Police personnel and local residents rushed to the spot and launched immediate rescue efforts, helping those trapped under the structure.

Around 10 people were caught in the accident, out of which seven sustained serious injuries. The injured were taken to the Government Medical College Hospital in Adukkamparai for treatment.

District Collector Subbulakshmi, Superintendent of Police Sivaraman, and Revenue Divisional Officer Senthil Kumar visited the location to assess the situation. The Collector later met the injured at the hospital and reviewed their condition.

Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the accident and instructed festival organisers to take stronger safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

About the Mayana Kollai festival

The Mayana Kollai festival is a major annual event in Vellore district, celebrated along the Palar riverbank. As part of the tradition, decorated idols from several villages are placed on temple chariots and taken in procession for rituals and offerings.

Following the accident, villagers retrieved only the idol from the fallen chariot and returned it safely to their village.

According to government norms, temple chariots are generally restricted to around 12 feet in height. However, chariots participating in the festival from villages including Kazhinjur, Virudhambattu and Mottur are reportedly much taller, reaching nearly 60 feet.

A similar accident had also occurred during the 2023 festival when another chariot reportedly toppled into the riverbed.