Kolkata: The intense heat and sultry weather became the major impediment as five people died and several fell sick at the religious festival in Panihati in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas on Sunday morning.
Devotees took part in good numbers in the 506-year-old Danda Mahotsav at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple at Panihati, reported news agency IANS. Following the mishap, the festival has now been discontinued. It may be recalled that the fair was suspended for the last two years due Covid pandemic.
After the religious festival resumed in 2022, public enthusiasm escalated, but extreme heat and humidity came in the way. Around 50 devotees fell severely ill and four, including a woman, passed away.
