Snakebite At Sun Temple In Odisha’s Konark Leaves Woman Critical
The injured, identified as Rinki Senapati from Paradip, had travelled to the temple with family members to offer prayers: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: A woman devotee was critically injured after being bitten by a snake during a religious visit to the Navagraha Temple in the premises of Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha’s Puri district on Saturday, officials said.
The injured, identified as Rinki Senapati from Paradip, had travelled to the temple with family members to offer prayers. The incident occurred shortly after she completed the Navagraha darshan and participated in a homa (sacred fire ritual) within the temple premises.
According to eyewitnesses, Senapati was bitten by a snake soon after the rituals, following which her condition deteriorated rapidly. Family members and locals rushed her to the Konark Primary Health Centre for initial treatment. She was later shifted to the Gop Community Health Centre as her condition remained critical.
With no significant improvement, doctors referred her to a higher medical facility in Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. Her current condition was not immediately known.
Experts note that snakebite incidents tend to rise during the summer months, as higher temperatures increase reptile activity. Being cold-blooded, snakes rely on external heat for body regulation and are more likely to move in search of food, water, and shelter during this period, raising the risk of human encounters, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.