Cuttack: The dead body of a Kanwariya pilgrim was recovered from the Mahanadi river during a rescue operation by Chauliaganj firefighting officials in Cuttack district on Monday.
The deceased Kanwariya pilgrim has been identified as Biswajit Behera (22) of the Tinigharia area of Cuttack.
According to reports, Biswajit drowned while trying to collect water from the Mahanadi River near Bhadimula Ghat for the Jalalagi ritual on Sunday evening.
Biswajit, along with 18 other Kanwariya pilgrims, was lifting water from the Mahanadi at Bhadimula Ghat for Jala Abhisek at Asthasambhu Temple on Monday when he was swept away by the strong currents of the river.
Firefighters, upon learning about the incident, launched an extensive search in the Mahanadi River using a motorboat but had to halt the search operation at night. After the operation resumed on Monday morning, the dead body of Biswajit was recovered.
Further details on the incident are awaited.
