The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress have strongly criticized the BJP-led Odisha government over alleged mismanagement of major rituals in the state’s iconic temples, including the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Shri Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.

The latest incident occurred during the Maha Shivratri celebrations on Wednesday when a servitor fell from a height of 20 feet while carrying the Mahadeep (burning lamp) to the top of the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple. The mishap left three people injured, raising concerns about safety measures during temple festivals.

Citing previous accidents, opposition leaders pointed to an incident in July last year when at least nine servitors of the Puri Jagannath Temple were injured. The accident happened when the idol of Lord Balabhadra fell on them while being taken from the chariot to the temple as part of the Rath Yatra festival.

The BJD and Congress have accused the BJP government of failing to ensure proper safety measures for temple servitors and devotees during religious events. They demanded accountability from the state administration and urged immediate steps to prevent such mishaps in the future.

With Odisha’s temple festivals drawing massive public participation, the opposition parties have called for stricter regulations and better planning to ensure the safety of those involved in traditional rituals.