File photo of Badan Singh, crowd of devotees
– Photo : Dialogue
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An old man from Firozabad who had come to perform Shani Jaat in Jalesar area of Etah in Uttar Pradesh died after being crushed in the crowd. In another incident, a couple returning after performing Jaat along with their daughter got injured in a road accident.
On Saturday, a huge crowd of devotees gathered in the city for Shani Jaat. There was chaos due to the crowd. Devotees performed the puja with great difficulty amidst the jostling. Badan Singh (60), who had come from village Meetpura of Firozabad district to perform the Jaat, got crushed in the crowd. He died on the spot.
As soon as the information of the incident was received, the Kotwali police took the old man to the CHC. Where the doctors also declared him dead. After the family members reached after getting the information, the body was sent to the district headquarters for postmortem.
Apart from this, Updesh, a resident of Mohalla Dwarikapuri, had come with his wife Pinky (32) and daughter Shivi to go on a bike for pilgrimage. They were returning home after the pilgrimage. A Nilgai collided with the bike in front of the petrol pump in the village Pondri on the Jalesar-Awagarh road. All three were injured in the accident. The injured were taken to the Awagarh PHC. Seeing the serious condition of 4-year-old Shivi, she was referred to Agra.
Huge crowd gathered in Shani Jaat, market and streets were packed
On the third Saturday of the month of Ashadh, a huge crowd of devotees gathered for Shani Jaat. Along with the main roads, the markets and streets were also packed with devotees. Along with Bada Mian Dargah, people prayed and sought blessings at Chhote Mian Dargah and Shanidev Temple.
Due to the crowd of devotees, the tehsil and police administration also had to work hard. During the festival, despite the security arrangements, there were incidents of mobile and purse theft. The administration and police officials had put up barricades outside the city. Due to which the entry of vehicles in the city was completely stopped. This made it very easy for people to travel on the roads.
Vehicles were prevented from entering the city by putting up barricades at Nidhauli Chauraha, Isoli Chauraha, Agra Chauraha, Sasni Road etc. Along with paying obeisance at Bade Mian Dargah, the devotees also offered prayers by pouring mustard oil on the statue of Lord Shanidev located at Shani Dev Temple.
During the puja, devotees offered a sheet and also offered a chicken and a goat as gifts. This started at 2 o’clock on Friday night and continued till late Saturday evening. It should be noted that devotees from many districts as well as other states come here for the Ashad month’s Jaat. They pray here for the wish of having a child.