ELURU: A chariot that is used to carry the Lord during festivals was reduced to ashes at Bhairava Pentapadu village in Pentapadu mandal on Thursday night. The loss has been estimated at `32 lakh.
According to information received here on Friday, Mahantis of Odisha had come to Bairagi Pentapadu village centuries back and presented a chariot to Bairagi Math in the village, adjacent to Lord Balagopala Swamy temple.
The Endowments officials have decided to renovate the old chariot as per present day needs at an estimated cost of `32 lakh. As the work was nearing completion, the officials left the chariot in an open place covering it with palm tree leaves.On Diwali night, a squib fell on the palm leaves and the chariot was reduced to ashes. The fire officials from Pentapadu and Tadepalligudem reached the village and doused the flames. They have estimated the loss at `32 lakh. Locals blamed the Endowments officials for leaving the chariot unguarded.