[TheCruxofBag]

Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India

Four devotees died and two others sustained serious injuries after a Scorpio SUV driver rammed into pilgrims on National Highway 216. The victims were planning to visit a temple, but their private bus developed a technical problem, forcing the passengers to stop along the highway. The devotees were walking towards a roadside tea stall when they were hit.

Those dead have been identified as Sirigidi E. (35), Tamlingala S (36), Tatipudi V. (36) and Bonula R. (52).

[Necrotic Bowel]

I always wanted to be a devotee but I have a fear of commitment

[Mr.NoCredit]

So much for their planned visit.

[WayneMan]

Deliberate?
Do ya think so?

[yah]

Originally Posted by WayneMan ↗

Deliberate?
Do ya think so?

It was either deliberate or they had a medical emergency (or they were drunk).

[pokerplay]

And the lord said let there be road pizza.

[William May]

Originally Posted by yah ↗

It was either deliberate or they had a medical emergency (or they were drunk).

or the Driver was Indian.

Or he worked for Indian State Railways.

Or he was an Indian Airlines pilot on his way to work.

Or he was an Indian Ship Captain, on leave for a vacation.

[mr_feelgood]

India! Less than surprised

I wonder if their tourism board is afraid of this mindset growing

[azblue81]

If only they were devoted to situational awareness.

[kellyhound]

The SUV driver was also a Bhavani devotee wearing the traditional spiritual garland (Bhavani Mala). They perform a 42 or 21 days long ritual making a vow characterized by complete surrender to the goddess Kanaka Durga (a manifestation of the goddess Parvati or Bhavani).

Devotees follow a strict vegetarian diet, ( food must be cooked fresh without onions or garlic), total abstinence and walking barefoot. Also praying several times a day, taking cold showers and sleeping on the floor.

They eat only once a day (typically a late lunch or after sunset).
For the rest of the day, they only consume liquids like water, milk, or buttermilk. Some may eat small portions of fruits.

Also an absolute ban on alcohol, tobacco and caffeine.

Devotees face severe sleep disruption due to the daily spiritual schedule, which often combines with exhausting early morning travel.

Devotees must wake up in the very early hours of the morning (usually between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM). They are forbidden from sleeping on comfortable beds. They must sleep strictly on the hard floor using only a basic sheet or mat.

Because they only eat one meal a day and fast for the rest, their bodies undergo immense physical stress. Combining low caloric intake with poor sleep causes severe exhaustion.

This crash happened just after 5 AM, which is just outside the most dangerous window for highway driving in India due to micro-sleeps and heavy fatigue.

During these periods, sleep deprivation paired with highway monotony heavily triggers involuntary micro-sleep episodes, which transport authorities note contribute to roughly 30% to 40% of all Indian highway accidents.