3 Dead, 10 Injured in Stampede During Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha

A tragic stampede during the grand Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, has claimed the lives of three devotees and left ten others injured. The incident occurred early Saturday morning near the Shree Gundicha Temple, around three kilometres from the main Jagannath Temple, as the sacred chariots approached their destination.

The deceased include two women, Prabhati Das and Basanti Sahu, along with a 70-year-old man, Premakant Mohanty. All three hailed from Khurda district and were in Puri to witness the annual religious spectacle. According to initial reports, the stampede began around 4:30 am when a massive crowd gathered to witness the arrival of the three chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Amid the jostling and surge of the crowd near the Gundicha Temple, several devotees lost their footing, triggering chaos and a tragic crush.

While the local police and administration claimed that proper crowd control arrangements were in place, eyewitnesses and local media have pointed to insufficient police presence and poor crowd management. Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain stated that the bodies of the victims had been sent for post-mortem, and the exact cause of death would be confirmed following the medical examination. He also added that while security arrangements were considered adequate, the crowd’s unexpected behaviour led to the unfortunate outcome.

The annual Rath Yatra draws lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad. During the festival, the deities are ceremoniously taken from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, where they remain for a week before being returned.

The tragedy has also sparked a political blame game. Former Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik condemned the situation, calling it a “terrible mess.” He expressed his anguish and prayed for forgiveness from Lord Jagannath for those responsible. In response, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, while not naming Patnaik directly, criticised the BJD for politicising the issue and reminded the public that similar delays and mismanagement occurred under the previous government’s tenure.

Authorities have confirmed that those injured are receiving treatment, with several reported to be in critical condition. The incident has cast a shadow over what is typically a vibrant and deeply spiritual celebration, prompting calls for a thorough investigation and stricter safety protocols in the future.