A significant accident occurred during the 'Mayana Kollaai' festival in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, where a 60-foot high temple chariot lost balance and toppled onto the crowd. The incident resulted in injuries to at least seven devotees, leading to chaos and the immediate suspension of the event. A video capturing the moment of the incident has surfaced, further highlighting the severity of the situation.

The traditional festival is an annual event that attracts participants from around ten nearby villages, where a decorated idol of the goddess Amman is placed on a massive chariot and paraded through the streets. The chariot is pulled by the devotees towards the nearby Palaru River, signifying the deep-rooted faith and traditions of the local community. This year, the procession took a tragic turn as the chariot lost control, resulting in a perilous situation for those present.

The accident is reported to have occurred around midnight as the chariot was being pulled from Kazhinjur towards the main road. The sudden loss of balance caused the towering chariot to tilt violently and topple, injuring devotees who were either inside or near it. This incident raises concerns about safety measures during such large-scale religious gatherings, emphasizing the necessity for better planning and precautions in the future to prevent similar tragedies.