A sudden lightning strike disrupted the annual Giri Gobardhan Puja at Chitrakoot Hill in Jarachhata village, under the Reamal block of Deogarh district, Odisha, on the evening of September 6, 2025.
The event, held on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Bhadra month, drew over a hundred devotees from the village and surrounding areas. Around 5 PM, a bolt of lightning struck, rendering more than 30 men and women unconscious.
The affected individuals were immediately attended to, with many regaining consciousness on their own. Others were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals in Chhendipada, Kosala, and Kaniha in Angul district for treatment.
According to sources, over 20 of the affected have fully recovered and returned home, while others continue to receive treatment at Chhendipada and Kosala hospitals. One woman, Rama Sahu from Jarachhata village, was transferred to the Angul District Headquarters Hospital due to her critical condition. Others, including Bikram Sahu, Amit Sahu, Akrura Nayak, and Bulu Pradhan, are undergoing treatment but are reported to be out of danger.
The Giri Gobardhan Puja, a long-standing tradition in Jarachhata, attracts devotees annually to worship at the sacred Chitrakoot Hill.
