PURI/BHUBANESWAR, September 22, 2026: The mortal remains of seven members of a Bhubaneswar family who died in a road accident in Madhya Pradesh were brought back to Odisha and their last rites were performed at Puri's Swargadwar, according to reports.

The seven members of the Behera family from the Jayadev Vihar area of Bhubaneswar were among eight people who died after a vehicle carrying them was swept away by a rain-swollen stream near the Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda, Madhya Pradesh. The eighth victim was the local taxi driver.

The family had travelled to Madhya Pradesh on a pilgrimage after visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and were travelling towards the Maa Baglamukhi Temple when the accident occurred. According to reports, heavy rainfall had caused the stream to swell, and the vehicle was swept away by the strong current.

The deceased members of the family were identified as Siba Prasad Behera, Ritarani Behera, Radharani Behera, Gyanendra Kumar Behera and three children. The bodies were transported to Odisha with assistance from the state and Madhya Pradesh authorities.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased person. The Prime Minister's Office also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased person.

The accident has left the Behera family and the Jaydev Vihar community in mourning. Authorities have been coordinating the transportation of the bodies and related arrangements following the tragedy.