A college student dies after getting stuck in the wheel of a temple car in Tiruchengode

C. Harshavardhan (19), victim | Photo credit: Special arrangement

A 19-year-old college student died on Sunday (May 31, 2026) after getting stuck in the wheel of the Tiruchengode Arthanareeswarar temple car in Namakkal district.

The Vaikasi Visakam Ther (car festival) began on May 22 at the Arthanareeswarar Temple in Tiruchengode. On Sunday afternoon, the new temple car moved in a procession on the car street. When the temple chariot made a sharp left turn near the building where the temple chariot usually stops, the two youths who were closer to the rear wheel got stuck in the wheel and remained pinned to the wall of the building.

The temple car was then immediately stopped and the couple was rescued and taken to the hospital. The pair were identified as C. Harshavardhan (19), a resident of Kootapalli in Tiruchengode and a first-year engineering student at a private college in Tiruchengode. The second person is identified as Sashdikan (19).

On the way to Salem Government Hospital, Harshavardhan succumbed to his injuries and Sashdikan, who suffered leg and hip fractures, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Coimbatore. Tiruchengode police are further investigating.

Acting on the information, Tamil Nadu Health Minister KG Arunraj and Commercial Taxes Minister Logesh Tamilselvan rushed to Salem State Hospital and consoled the bereaved family and relatives.

Later that day, Mr. Arunraj visited the house of the deceased and handed over a check for ₹5,000 to the victim’s family, which was announced by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Published – 31 May 2026 16:44 IST