Argus News - Odisha Priest Declared Dead, Wakes up, Dies again at Hospital

Ganjam, Dec 17: A shocking and emotionally charged incident has come to light from Ganjam, where a priest who had been declared dead by doctors was later found showing signs of life at the cremation ground — only to pass away again shortly afterward.

The unusual sequence of events has left the local community stunned.

Rajendra Rath, a priest from Puintola village under Ganjam NAC, suddenly fell ill Sunday. His family rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia and admitted him to the ICU. Despite treatment, doctors later declared him dead, plunging the village into grief.

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As the news of his death spread, hundreds of people — including Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak — visited to pay their last respects. His body was placed on a decorated chariot and taken in a grand procession through the four streets of Puintola before being moved to the Rushikulya cremation ground.

However, just before the final rites, family members noticed faint breathing movements. Shocked and hopeful, they immediately transported him to Chhatrapur Medical Centre. But after examination, doctors once again declared him dead. The conflicting moments of hope and despair left the family devastated.

Rajendra’s wife, Sujata Rath, who had lit lamps at the village temple believing her husband had miraculously survived, fainted upon hearing the second confirmation of his death. His father, Ganesh Rath, was inconsolable after losing his only son. Rajendra’s son, Chandan, performed the final rites.

Villagers remain shaken by the dramatic turn of events, describing it as something they had never witnessed before.