Date:12/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081258290300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Devotees injured by honeybees

Staff Reporter

BERHAMPUR: Honeybees injured a large number of ‘Bol Bom’ devotees near Maulabhanja village in Ganjam district on Sunday evening.

Five of them were seriously injured. More than 500 ‘Bol Bom’ devotees had gathered up on the coast of the river flowing by the village to collect water for worship of lord Shiva on last Monday of Hindu month of Shravan.

These devotees walk long distances to Shiva temples at far off places to pour the water collected by them.

But the rituals related to the lifting of water from the river proved dangerous for the devotees.

The fumes emitted from the ‘yagna’ conducted by the devotees irritated the honeybees who had their honeycombs on trees near the river bank.

The irritated bees attacked the devotees, who ran to save themselves. Five of them were seriously injured as they were stung by huge amount of honeybees. They were treated at the Maulabhanja hospital.

It may be noted that ‘Bol Bom’ trip to get water from rivers and offer it at Shiva temples has picked up among youths in Orissa. It was once used as a penance but it has gathered up tones of picnic spirit in recent years.

In the month of Shravan devotees of lord Shiva carry water from the rivers in pots hung to swings called ‘kawaria’ on foot to the temples to pour it on the Shiva Lingam.

Now clubs and streets have started organising ‘Bol Bom’ trips to different shrines of Shiva in the State on the four Mondays of Shravan to do the penance with the enjoyment of a picnic.