Stampede During Rath Yatra in Puri Leaves 3 Dead, 6 Injured; Crowd Management Under Scrutiny
Puri, 29th June 2025: A tragic stampede occurred during the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, claiming the lives of three devotees and leaving six others injured in the early hours of Sunday. The incident took place around 4:00 AM near the Nandighosha chariot of Lord Jagannath, in front of the Gundicha Temple, the deity’s maternal aunt’s abode and final destination of the chariot procession.
The deceased have been identified as Basanti Sahu (36), Prem Kanti Mahanthy (78), and Prabhati Das. All three bodies have been taken to Puri Medical College, where the injured are also receiving treatment.
Chaos Amid Devotion
Eyewitnesses reported that the stampede broke out as thousands of devotees surged forward to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath’s chariot. In the resulting chaos, some individuals lost balance and fell, leading to others being trampled in the dense crowd.
“There was a sudden push from behind as the crowd swelled near the chariot. People started falling, and screams filled the air,” said a witness who was present near the Gundicha temple when the incident occurred.
Reports suggest that insufficient deployment of police and crowd control personnel near the chariot may have contributed to the severity of the incident.
Security and Crowd Control Under Question
According to preliminary inputs, the chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra had already reached Shraddhabali, the designated endpoint of the yatra, before Lord Jagannath’s chariot proceeded to the Gundicha temple. The stampede occurred during this final stretch of the procession.
Senior officials from the Odisha government are expected to launch an inquiry into the crowd management strategy and the overall preparedness of the administration during one of the country’s largest religious gatherings.
Health Emergencies Throughout the Yatra
This was not the first medical emergency during this year’s Rath Yatra. On Friday (June 28), over 625 devotees reported health complications due to heat and suffocation in the thick crowd surrounding Devi Subhadra’s chariot. At least 70 people were hospitalized, with nine of them in critical condition, according to health officials.
Another devotee reportedly collapsed on Saturday during the second day of the chariot pulling.
Rath Yatra Timeline and Progress
The Rath Yatra officially began on Friday at 4:00 PM, with Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaj chariot leading the way, followed by Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalan and Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha. On the first day, each chariot was pulled for a limited distance.
The procession resumed at 10:00 AM on Saturday, with a renewed surge of pilgrims. Lord Balabhadra’s chariot reached Gundicha Temple at 11:20 AM, followed by Subhadra’s at 12:20 PM, and Lord Jagannath’s chariot arriving at 1:11 PM.
Despite the tragic incidents, lakhs of devotees continue to flock to Puri to participate in the sacred procession, which is among the oldest and most celebrated festivals in India.
Officials Urge Caution and Patience
In light of the tragedy, local authorities have urged devotees to maintain discipline and follow official instructions during the remaining days of the festival. Additional police and medical teams are expected to be deployed around sensitive points near the chariots and temple zones.
