​​​​​​​Jagatsinghpur, Jan 18: In an unprecedented incident, a priest of a Shiva Temple in Odisha leaned on the Shiva Linga and collapsed on the spot.

The devotees found him dead, with the head kept on the Shiva Linga and a few flowers in his hand for offering the God, to whom he worshiped for years.

The shocking incident took place at the Punanga Shiva Temple under the Sadar police station limits in Jagatsinghpur district on Saturday.

The deceased who was almost blessed with salvation during puja, has been identified as Om Prakash Panda, regular servitor of the Punanga Shiva temple.

Panda who performs the temple’s rituals with utmost devotion, reached the temple premises in the wee hours. However, he did not return home in time that bothered his family members.Meanwhile, some local devotees spotted him collapsed with his head on the Shiva Linga. They sought his response for moments but in vain. Anticipating some thing odd, they informed the priest’s family members in this connection who discovered him dead.

On being informed, the Sadar Police reached the spot, recovered the body and sent it for post mortem.

An UD case has been registered in this connection. The reason behind the preiest’s death is under investigation. Whether he has succumbed to injuries or due to health issues, will be ascertaind from the PM report, said the IO.

A pall of gloom descended in the locality with the sudden demise of Panda who was famous for his ritualistic aptitudes.