People look at the place where the stone fell from. Picture by Sarat Patra

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 1: A one-tonne stone fell from the dome of the western gate of the 12th century Jagannath Temple in Puri today injuring a visually challenged person. The accident, which took place around 11.41am, has raised questions over the safety and maintenance of the shrine.

Bula Pothal, the 48-year-old victim, a beggar, was rushed to Puri Hospital and he was released after being given first aid.

A group of 17 pilgrims had a narrow escape today, which is not the first in the history of the shrine which attracts thousands of devotees and tourists each day. Since 1842, stones have fallen off the temple 14 times including today’s accident, said sources. The temple has been maintained by the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) since 1975.

Eyewitnesses said nearly 2,000 devotees were in the temple when the stone fell. Bhimsen, a temple sevayat and eyewitness, said: “The limestone plaster around the dadhi nauti (dome) had already become loose where the stone was lodged. A group of monkeys was jumping around on the edifice and the stone fell with a thud.”

ASI officials claimed the stone fell because the iron clamp that held it had become loose. The first major incident of stone falling from the temple was reported in 1842.

Somnath Khuntia, another sevayat, said: “Since this is the Kartik month (considered auspicious by Hindus), the temple was crowded. Fortunately, no major mishap took place. The ASI has totally failed in protecting and preserving the ancient temple.”

However, denying allegations of neglect, ASI superintendent Ashok Patel said: “The ASI has not neglected it. This is a 12th century temple. It is not possible always to know which part of the temple is weak. Once we get to know about the weak spots, we repair them.” Patel added that the old iron camp in temple became weak following saline blasts from the nearby sea. “However, no stone had fallen off the temple since 2004,” he said.

Expressing concern over today’s incident, chief minister Naveen Patnaik called an emergency meeting at the state secretariat and wrote a letter to Union culture minister Kumari Selja, urging her to initiate measures to protect the temple.