Stampede During Jagannath Rath Yatra In Puri Claims Three Lives

A religious celebration turned tragic on Sunday morning as a stampede during the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri district resulted in the death of three devotees and injuries to at least ten others.

The incident took place at approximately 4:30 AM near the Shree Gundicha Temple, where the iconic chariots had reached as part of the sacred procession.

According to preliminary reports, the massive crowd that had gathered for a glimpse of the deities became unmanageable as the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra approached the Gundicha Temple.

Amid the push and surge of devotees attempting darshan, several people fell, triggering panic and a stampede-like situation.

Officials have identified the deceased as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and 70-year-old Premakant Mohanty.

All three were residents of Odisha’s Khurda district and had travelled to Puri to participate in the yatra.

Some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition, and further medical updates are awaited.

Rath movement delays

The sacred chariots, scheduled to reach Gundicha Temple by Friday evening, faced unexpected delays.

Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja, became stuck while turning on Grand Road, causing the others—Darpadalana (Goddess Subhadra) and Nandighosha (Lord Jagannath)—to halt midway.

Nandighosha moved only a short distance from Singhadwar (Lion Gate) before stopping.

Despite completing most rituals, including the Pahandi (procession of deities), on time, officials delayed the pulling of the chariots, which frustrated many devotees.

The Jagannath Temple Administration attributed the disruption to the blockage and the larger-than-anticipated turnout.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan acknowledged the challenges in crowd control, stating that this year’s Rath Yatra witnessed an unexpectedly large gathering—estimated at 1.5 times more than previous years—owing to favourable weather conditions.

The surge strained logistical and security arrangements along the Bada Danda (Grand Road), the main route of the procession.

Cultural & religious significance

The Rath Yatra is one of India’s most significant religious festivals.

Thousands of devotees draw the towering wooden chariots carrying the idols of the deities during the procession.

They take the chariots to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities stay for a week before returning in the Bahuda Yatra.

The stampede has darkened the mood of the revered festival. Authorities are expected to investigate the lapses in crowd management.

Meanwhile, the state government has urged pilgrims to remain calm and follow safety protocols for the remainder of the celebrations.

Also Read: Acharya Pramod Krishnam Slams Congress Over ‘Internal Emergency’ Allegation