BHUBANESWAR, July 30, 2013: A "kanwaria" was killed and 23 injured when the mini-truck they were travelling in overturned at Nandailo village near Athagarh in Cuttack district on Sunday. They were going to the Lingaraj Temple to offer water and prayers. The injured were rushed to the Athagarh sub-divisional hospital. Out of them, the nine who were critical, were shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital. "Two devotees, who suffered head injuries, are very critical," said emergency officer of SCB Dr B N Moharana.

Police said all the "kanwarias" were in their 20s and 30s and natives of Birakishorepur and nearby villages in Athagarh. They planned to stop at Cuttack to fetch water from the Mahanadi and then proceed on foot to the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar. The vehicle was overloaded and the driver lost control while negotiating an undulating stretch and the truck overturned.

"Kanwarias" flock to Shiva temples on Mondays during the month of Shravan every year. They come walking several km with holy water collected from various rivers. While most devotees walk down to the temple, some use motorcycles, trucks and vans.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 30, 2013.