Nilagiri (Balasore): In a tragic incident, an elderly man reportedly died due to sunstroke during a religious festival in Balasore district.

The incident occurred in Gop village under Nilgiri police limits, where a puja dedicated to Goddess Mangala was being held. The deceased has been identified as Gajendra Danak, a resident of the same village.

According to reports, villagers had gathered for the Mangala Maa ritual, during which devotees were participating in traditional practices. After the puja concluded, Gajendra was resting on a platform when he suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness.

Locals immediately rushed him to the Nilgiri hospital for treatment. However, doctors there declared him dead on arrival.

While the exact cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed, it is suspected he succumbed to sunstroke amid the prevailing heat conditions.

The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the village.