Bhubaneswar: At least five servitors were injured in a mishap during the Pahandi procession of Srimandir deities at Saradhabali in Odisha’s Puri town today.

The incident took place while the deities were being taken to Adapa Mandap of Srigundicha temple from their respective chariots in the evening.

The idol of Lord Balabhadra slipped on the makeshift staircase (Charamala) while descending from Taladhwaja chariot at Saradhabali. At least five servitors of Jagannath temple were injured in the mishap.

The injured servitors were immediately rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). Two servitors have suffered fractures in their fingers in the incident.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has regretted the incident and sent Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan to Puri to take stock of the situation.

The Chief Minister wished for the speedy recovery of the injured servitors.

Notably, Lord Jagannath and his siblings have reached Srigundicha temple by riding their respective chariots for a nine-day sojourn as part of the annual Rath Jatra.