Seven Family Members Cremated Together at Puri’s Swargadwar After Tragic Madhya Pradesh Road Accident
Bhubaneswar/Puri: In a heartbreaking end to a pilgrimage that turned into tragedy, the last rites of seven members of a Bhubaneswar family were performed together at Swargadwar in Puri on Sunday. Seven funeral pyres were lit simultaneously as the family bid farewell to their loved ones who lost their lives in a devastating accident in Madhya Pradesh.
The victims were part of a family from Bhubaneswar who had travelled to Madhya Pradesh for a pilgrimage. Their vehicle was swept away by strong floodwaters near Nalkheda in Agar Malwa district after heavy rainfall caused a nearby drain to overflow. Eight people, including the taxi driver, died in the accident.
Tragedy Strikes During Pilgrimage
According to reports, the family had visited the Baglamukhi Temple at Nalkheda and were returning towards Ujjain when their rented vehicle encountered the flooded stretch.
Heavy rainfall had caused water levels to rise sharply. The vehicle was swept away by the strong current and the occupants became trapped inside. Rescue teams later recovered the vehicle and the bodies. Police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Among the seven family members who died were three children and two women. The eighth victim was the vehicle’s driver.
Mortal Remains Brought Back to Odisha
Following post-mortem procedures in Madhya Pradesh, the bodies of the seven family members were transported to Odisha in special ambulances. Odisha authorities coordinated with the Madhya Pradesh administration to facilitate the return of the mortal remains and the arrangements for the final rites.
The bodies reached Bhubaneswar late Saturday night before being taken to the family’s native place and subsequently to Puri for the final rites.
Seven Funeral Pyres Lit Together at Swargadwar
The final farewell at Puri’s Swargadwar was marked by an exceptionally painful scene, with seven funeral pyres lit together. The seven victims included Banamali Behera’s son, two daughters, son-in-law and three grandchildren.
Relatives, friends and members of the public gathered to pay their final respects. The tragedy has left the family and the wider Bhubaneswar community mourning the sudden loss of seven members in a single incident.
Government Announces Financial Assistance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the deaths and announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia assistance for the next of kin of each deceased person. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also expressed grief and announced ₹5 lakh assistance for the bereaved families while directing officials to coordinate with Madhya Pradesh authorities.
The accident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by sudden flooding and strong water currents during periods of heavy rainfall.
A Devastating End to a Pilgrimage
What began as a spiritual journey to seek blessings ended in an unimaginable tragedy for the Behera family. The seven members who left Odisha together never returned home alive.
Their final journey ended at Puri’s Swargadwar, where seven funeral pyres burned side by side, marking a deeply painful farewell for a family devastated by the tragedy.
