At least nine servants of Puri's Jagannath temple were injured when an idol of Lord Balabhadra fell on them while they were carrying the chariot to the temple during the Rath Yatra festival on Tuesday, an official said.

Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain said five of the nine were admitted to hospital, while four others suffered minor injuries.

The accident occurred when the heavy wooden idol was being brought down from the chariot of Lord Balabhadra to be taken to the Gundicha temple.

This is known as 'Pahandi' ritual. It appears that the people who were carrying the idol lost control of it.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed concern over the incident and directed Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan to immediately visit Puri and take appropriate steps.

Puri Jagannath Temple is under the Law Department of the State Government.

The Chief Minister wished for the speedy recovery of the injured servicemen.

The rituals of the sibling deities – Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra – resumed soon after the accident and all the idols were moved inside the Gundicha temple.

They will remain at the Gundicha temple till the 'Bahuda Yatra' or return car festival on July 15.