GUWAHATI: In a mysterious event, a panda (a guide and temple priest) of the Kamakhya Temple was discovered dead under mysterious conditions in the holy Saubhagya Kunda on Sunday morning.
The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Himangshu Sarma, who is a familiar face among the temple community.
Sarma's dead body was found floating on top of the holy water body by early morning devotees who had come to start their prayers. Saubhagya Kunda, within the compound of the sacred Kamakhya Temple, is a holy pond where pilgrims traditionally wash their feet before making prayers to the Mother Goddess Kamakhya.
As soon as the body was spotted, local rescuers attempted to retrieve and revive him, but their efforts were in vain. Sarma was declared dead on the spot, leaving devotees and temple authorities in a state of shock and sorrow.
Although the incident has caused alarm, preliminary observations have not shown any immediate evidence of foul play. The circumstances under which Sarma died are still unclear, and the authorities are conducting further investigations.
A police squad promptly reached the location and initiated an investigation to find out the reason for death. The body was then taken to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for a post-mortem examination. Authorities are now waiting for the autopsy report, which is likely to reveal the real reason behind his death.
The last rites of Himangshu Sarma were conducted on Sunday night at Kamakhya, where family members in mourning, close friends, and fellow priests attended the ceremony.
ALSO READ:
ALSO WATCH: