Tag: Odisha

A stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri left at least three people dead and over 50 injured on Sunday morning, prompting a high-level probe and swift administrative action. The incident occurred near the Gundicha Temple around 4 AM, following crowd chaos triggered by the entry of trucks carrying sacred wood. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took responsibility, suspended senior police officials, and ordered an investigation, assuring strict action against those responsible.

Over 580 devotees were injured and at least eight are in critical condition after a stampede-like situation occurred during the pulling of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot at the Rath Yatra in Puri. The incident was triggered by overcrowding on the Grand Road as thousands of devotees rushed forward to pull the sacred chariot.

The sacred ‘Pahandi’ ritual of the annual Rath Yatra began in Puri on June 27, 2025, as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were ceremoniously brought out of the 12th-century temple and placed onto their respective chariots. Amid devotional chants and vibrant performances, lakhs of devotees gathered along the Grand Road to witness the divine procession. The chariot pulling is scheduled to begin at 4 PM following the royal ‘Chherapahanra’ ritual by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb. Tight security measures, including AI-powered surveillance, have been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.