Guruvayur: A car brought for pooja at the Guruvayur temple went out of control and rammed into a steel gate in front. Though devotees were walking through the walkway at the time, no one was injured. The car belonged to devotees who had come from Kozhikode. The incident occurred around 5.30 pm on Sunday.

The accident happened at the eastern side when the car was moved forward after the vehicle pooja ritual. The gate was hit and it collapsed. The front portion of the car was damaged. The vehicle owner said the damaged gate would be restored. They also informed that they would meet officials of the Devaswom’s engineering department on Monday and remit the repair cost to the Devaswom.

There was heavy rush for vehicle pooja on Sunday. A total of 98 vehicles were brought for the ritual—63 cars, 33 two-wheelers and autorickshaws, and two heavy vehicles. The crowd was heavier till noon, with vehicles lined up in long queues for the pooja. To avoid traffic congestion, only vehicles allowed in turn were permitted to enter the walkway, while the rest were directed to be parked in the designated parking area.